Direction Selectivity of TmY Neurites in Drosophila / 神经科学通报·英文版

The perception of motion is an important function of vision. Neural wiring diagrams for extracting directional information have been obtained by connectome reconstruction. Direction selectivity in Drosophila is thought to originate in T4/T5 neurons through integrating inputs with different temporal filtering properties. Through genetic screening based on synaptic distribution, we isolated a new type of TmY neuron, termed TmY-ds, that form reciprocal synaptic connections with T4/T5 neurons. Its neurites responded to grating motion along the four cardinal directions and showed a variety of direction selectivity. Intriguingly, its direction selectivity originated from temporal filtering neurons rather than T4/T5. Genetic silencing and activation experiments showed that TmY-ds neurons are functionally upstream of T4/T5. Our results suggest that direction selectivity is generated in a tripartite circuit formed among these three neurons-temporal filtering, TmY-ds, and T4/T5 neurons, in which TmY-ds plays a role in the enhancement of direction selectivity in T4/T5 neurons.

Brain tissue microstructure parameters estimation method based on proximal gradient network / 生物医学工程学杂志

Diffusion tensor imaging technology can provide information on the white matter of the brain, which can be used to explore changes in brain tissue structure, but it lacks the specific description of the microstructure information of brain tissue. The neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging make up for its shortcomings. But in order to accurately estimate the brain microstructure, a large number of diffusion gradients are needed, and the calculation is complex and time-consuming through maximum likelihood fitting. Therefore, this paper proposes a kind of microstructure parameters estimation method based on the proximal gradient network, which further avoids the classic fitting paradigm. The method can accurately estimate the parameters while reducing the number of diffusion gradients, and achieve the purpose of imaging quality better than the neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging model and accelerated microstructure imaging via convex optimization model.

Serotonin induces or inhibits neuritic regeneration of leech CNS neurons depending on neuronal identity

Recovery of motor function after central nervous system (CNS) injury is dependent on the regeneration capacity of the nervous system, which is a multifactorial process influenced, among other things, by the role of neuromodulators such as serotonin. The neurotransmitter serotonin can promote neuronal regeneration but there are also reports of it causing restriction, so it is important to clarify these divergent findings in order to understand the direct scope and side effects of potential pharmacological treatments. We evaluated the effect of serotonin on the extent of neuritic outgrowth and morphology of three different neuronal types in the leech Haementeria officinalis during their regeneration in vitro: Retzius interneurons (Rz), annulus erector (AE) motoneurons, and anterolateral number 1 (AL1) CNS neurons. Neurons were isolated and cultured in L15 medium, with or without serotonin. Growth parameters were registered and quantified, and observed differences were analyzed. The addition of serotonin was found to induce AL1 neurons to increase their average growth dramatically by 8.3-fold (P=0.02; n=5), and to have no clear effect on AE motoneurons (P=0.44; n=5). For Rz interneurons, which normally do not regenerate their neurites, the addition of concanavaline-A causes substantial growth, which serotonin was found to inhibit on average by 98% (P=0.02; n=5). The number of primary neurites and their branches were also affected. These results reveal that depending on the neuronal type, serotonin can promote, inhibit, or have no effect on neuronal regeneration. This suggests that after CNS injury, non-specific pharmacological treatments affecting serotonin may have different effects on different neuronal populations.

Glial Cell Line-derived Neurotrophic Factor-overexpressing Human Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells Enhance Therapeutic Efficiency in Rat with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes axonal damage and demyelination, neural cell death, and comprehensive tissue loss, resulting in devastating neurological dysfunction. Neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPCs) transplantation provides therapeutic benefits for neural repair in SCI, and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been uncovered to have capability of stimulating axonal regeneration and remyelination after SCI. In this study, to evaluate whether GDNF would augment therapeutic effects of NSPCs for SCI, GDNF-encoding or mock adenoviral vector-transduced human NSPCs (GDNF-or Mock-hNSPCs) were transplanted into the injured thoracic spinal cords of rats at 7 days after SCI. Grafted GDNF-hNSPCs showed robust engraftment, long-term survival, an extensive distribution, and increased differentiation into neurons and oligodendroglial cells. Compared with Mock-hNSPC- and vehicle-injected groups, transplantation of GDNF-hNSPCs significantly reduced lesion volume and glial scar formation, promoted neurite outgrowth, axonal regeneration and myelination, increased Schwann cell migration that contributed to the myelin repair, and improved locomotor recovery. In addition, tract tracing demonstrated that transplantation of GDNF-hNSPCs reduced significantly axonal dieback of the dorsal corticospinal tract (dCST), and increased the levels of dCST collaterals, propriospinal neurons (PSNs), and contacts between dCST collaterals and PSNs in the cervical enlargement over that of the controls. Finally grafted GDNF-hNSPCs substantially reversed the increased expression of voltage-gated sodium channels and neuropeptide Y, and elevated expression of GABA in the injured spinal cord, which are involved in the attenuation of neuropathic pain after SCI. These findings suggest that implantation of GDNF-hNSPCs enhances therapeutic efficiency of hNSPCs-based cell therapy for SCI.

The First Generation of iPSC Line from a Korean Alzheimer's Disease Patient Carrying APP-V715M Mutation Exhibits a Distinct Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, which is pathologically defined by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and hyper-phosphorylated tau aggregates in the brain. Mitochondrial dysfunction is also a prominent feature in AD, and the extracellular Aβ and phosphorylated tau result in the impaired mitochondrial dynamics. In this study, we generated an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from an AD patient with amyloid precursor protein (APP) mutation (Val715Met; APP-V715M) for the first time. We demonstrated that both extracellular and intracellular levels of Aβ were dramatically increased in the APP-V715M iPSC-derived neurons. Furthermore, the APP-V715M iPSC-derived neurons exhibited high expression levels of phosphorylated tau (AT8), which was also detected in the soma and neurites by immunocytochemistry. We next investigated mitochondrial dynamics in the iPSC-derived neurons using Mito-tracker, which showed a significant decrease of anterograde and retrograde velocity in the APP-V715M iPSC-derived neurons. We also found that as the Aβ and tau pathology accumulates, fusion-related protein Mfn1 was decreased, whereas fission-related protein DRP1 was increased in the APP-V715M iPSC-derived neurons, compared with the control group. Taken together, we established the first iPSC line derived from an AD patient carrying APP-V715M mutation and showed that this iPSC-derived neurons exhibited typical AD pathological features, including a distinct mitochondrial dysfunction.

Restoration of Cdk5, TrkB and Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Factor Attachment Protein Receptor Proteins after Chronic Methylphenidate Treatment in Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats, a Model for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

OBJECTIVE: Synaptic vesicle mobilization and neurite outgrowth regulation molecules were examined in modulation of effects of methylphenidate (MPH) in Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats (SHRs), a model for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: We compared the changes in the protein expression level of Cyclin dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) and molecular substrates of Cdk5; tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), syntaxin 1A (STX1A) and synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP25). Comparisons were made in prefrontal cortex of vehicle (distilled water i.p. for 7 days)-treated SHRs, vehicle-treated Wistar Kyoto Rats (WKYs) and MPH (2 mg/kg i.p. for 7 days) treated SHRs. RESULTS: The Cdk5 level of vehicle-treated SHRs was significantly decreased compared to the Cdk5 level of vehicle-treated WKY rats, but was restored to the expression level of vehicle-treated WKYs in MPH-treated SHR. The ratio of p25/p35 was significantly decreased in MPH-treated SHR compared to vehicle-treated SHR. Moreover, TrkB, STX1A and SNAP25 of vehicle-treated SHRs were significantly decreased compared to vehicle-treated WKY rats, but were restored to the expression level of vehicle-treated WKYs in MPH-treated SHR. CONCLUSION: The results show that Cdk5, TrkB, STX1A, and SNAP25 were involved in the modulation of MPH effects in prefrontal cortex of SHRs and play important role in treatment of ADHD.

Dual mechanisms for the regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor by valproic acid in neural progenitor cells

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders that share behavioral features, the results of numerous studies have suggested that the underlying causes of ASDs are multifactorial. Behavioral and/or neurobiological analyses of ASDs have been performed extensively using a valid model of prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA). Abnormal synapse formation resulting from altered neurite outgrowth in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) during embryonic brain development has been observed in both the VPA model and ASD subjects. Although several mechanisms have been suggested, the actual mechanism underlying enhanced neurite outgrowth remains unclear. In this study, we found that VPA enhanced the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), particularly mature BDNF (mBDNF), through dual mechanisms. VPA increased the mRNA and protein expression of BDNF by suppressing the nuclear expression of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), which is a transcriptional repressor of BDNF. In addition, VPA promoted the expression and activity of the tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which induces BDNF maturation through proteolytic cleavage. Trichostatin A and sodium butyrate also enhanced tPA activity, but tPA activity was not induced by valpromide, which is a VPA analog that does not induce histone acetylation, indicating that histone acetylation activity was required for tPA regulation. VPA-mediated regulation of BDNF, MeCP2, and tPA was not observed in astrocytes or neurons. Therefore, these results suggested that VPA-induced mBDNF upregulation was associated with the dysregulation of MeCP2 and tPA in developing cortical NPCs.

Aucubin Promotes Differentiation of Neural Precursor Cells into GABAergic Neurons

Aucubin is a small compound naturally found in traditional medicinal herbs with primarily anti-inflammatory and protective effects. In the nervous system, aucubin is reported to be neuroprotective by enhancing neuronal survival and inhibiting apoptotic cell death in cultures and disease models. Our previous data, however, suggest that aucubin facilitates neurite elongation in cultured hippocampal neurons and axonal regrowth in regenerating sciatic nerves. Here, we investigated whether aucubin facilitates the differentiation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) into specific types of neurons. In NPCs cultured primarily from the rat embryonic hippocampus, aucubin significantly elevated the number of GAD65/67 immunoreactive cells and the expression of GAD65/67 proteins was upregulated dramatically by more than three-fold at relatively low concentrations of aucubin (0.01 µM to 10 µM). The expression of both NeuN and vGluT1 of NPCs, the markers for neurons and glutamatergic cells, respectively, and the number of vGluT1 immunoreactive cells also increased with higher concentrations of aucubin (1 µM and 10 µM), but the ratio of the increases was largely lower than GAD expression and GAD immunoreactive cells. The GABAergic differentiation of pax6-expressing late NPCs into GABA-producing cells was further supported in cortical NPCs primarily cultured from transgenic mouse brains, which express recombinant GFP under the control of pax6 promoter. The results suggest that aucubin can be developed as a therapeutic candidate for neurodegenerative disorders caused by the loss of inhibitory GABAergic neurons.

An Autopsy Confirmed Case of Semantic Variant Primary Progressive Aphasia with Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration-TDP type C

A 62-year-old man presented with a one-year history of word finding difficulty, impaired single word comprehension and personality changes including aggression, apathy and eating change. Brain MRIs showed severe atrophy in the left anterior temporal lobe. The clinical syndromic diagnosis was semantic variant primary progressive aphasia. He died at age 70 of pneumonia. At autopsy, transactive response DNA-binding protein (TDP) immunoreactive long dystrophic neurites were predominantly found in the cerebral cortices, which were compatible with frontotemporal lobar degeneration-TDP type C pathology.

Sciatic nerve leachate of cattle causes neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells via ERK1/2 signaling pathway

Previous studies have shown that the sciatic nerve has neurotrophic activity, and nerve regeneration, differentiation, and axon outgrowth can be modulated by different sciatic nerve preparations. However, numerous animals may have to be sacrificed to obtain enough sciatic nerves to make a sciatic nerve preparation. Some studies have demonstrated that the role of sciatic nerve preparations in neural differentiation depends on the neurotrophins that Schwann cells secrete, and these factors are highly conserved among different species. To reduce the use of experimental animals, in this study, we made a leachate by using the sciatic nerve of cattle and explored its effect on neuronal differentiation of rat PC12 cells (a useful model for studying neuronal differentiation). Results showed the neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells treated with the cattle sciatic nerve leachate for 3, 6, and 9 days was significantly improved, and the expressions of β3-tubulin and microtubule-associated protein 2 (two neuron-specific proteins) were increased. Moreover, the ERK1/2 signaling pathway was activated after PC12 cells were incubated with cattle sciatic nerve leachate for 9 days. Thus, a sciatic nerve leachate obtained from cattle can effectively induce neuronal differentiation of rat PC12 cells via ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Análise dos resultados de neurolises em pacientes com hanseniase / Analysys of the results of neurólises in patients with leprosy

O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a eficácia da neurólise cirúrgica no tratamento da neurite periférica em pacientes com hanseníase. Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo de vinte e cinco pacientes hansenianos submetidos à neurólise com média de idade de 39,4 anos. A perda sensitiva foi quantificada pelo método dos monofilamentos de Siemmens-Weistein e a dor foi informada pelo paciente através de escala numérica analógica. As variáveis foram analisadas pré e pós operatoriamente. O Teste da Binomial, utilizado para a análise comparativa entre as avaliações sensitiva, mostrou variação não significativa estatisticamente (p > 0,05) nas medições pré e pós-operatórias, indicando ausência de progressão da parestesia. Houve melhora significativa da dor em todos os pacientes. Conclusão: a neurólise cirúrgica foi eficaz no alívio da dor e interrompeu a progressão da perda sensitiva na neuropatia periférica de hansenianos.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Enhances Axonal Outgrowth in Organotypic Spinal Cord Slices via Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 1 and 2

Enhancing adult nerve regeneration is a potential therapeutic strategy for treating spinal cord injury. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major contributor to angiogenesis, which can reduce the spinal cord injury by inhibiting the inflammation and improve recovery after spinal cord injury. We have previously demonstrated that exogenous VEGF has neurotrophic effects on injured spinal nerves in organotypic spinal cord slice cultures. However, the mechanisms underlying the neurite growth by exogenous VEGF remain to be explored in spinal cord. In this study, we found out that exogenous VEGF mediated axonal outgrowth through VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1) and VEGFR2, both of which were expressed on organotypic spinal cord slices. Although VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were constitutively expressed in some cells of control spinal cord slices, VEGF treatment upregulated expression of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2. Both VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were expressed in neuronal cells as well as glial cells of organotypic spinal cord slices. We also observed that VEGF-induced axonal outgrowth was attenuated by a specific mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor PD98059 and a specific phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor wortmannin. Thus, these findings suggest that these MAPK and PI3K pathways have important roles in regulating VEGF-induced axonal outgrowth in the postnatal spinal cord.

A Model of Glial Scarring Analogous to the Environment of a Traumatically Injured Spinal Cord Using Kainate

OBJECTIVE: To develop an in vitro model analogous to the environment of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), the authors evaluated change of astrogliosis following treatments with kainate and/or scratch, and degree of neurite outgrowth after treatment with a kainate inhibitor. METHODS: Astrocytes were obtained from the rat spinal cord. Then, 99% of the cells were confirmed to be GFAP-positive astrocytes. For chemical injury, the cells were treated with kainate at different concentrations (10, 50 or 100 µM). For mechanical injury, two kinds of uniform scratches were made using a plastic pipette tip by removing strips of cells. For combined injury (S/K), scratch and kainate were provided. Cord neurons from rat embryos were plated onto culture plates immediately after the three kinds of injuries and some cultures were treated with a kainate inhibitor. RESULTS: Astro-gliosis (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], vimentin, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan [CSPG], rho-associated protein kinase [ROCK], and ephrin type-A receptor 4 [EphA4]) was most prominent after treatment with 50 µM kainate and extensive scratch injury in terms of single arm (p<0.001) and in the S/K-induced injury model in view of single or combination (p<0.001). Neurite outgrowth in the seeded spinal cord (β-III tubulin) was the least in the S/K-induced injury model (p<0.001) and this inhibition was reversed by the kainate inhibitor (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The current in vitro model combining scratch and kainate induced glial scarring and inhibitory molecules and restricted neurite outgrowth very strongly than either the mechanically or chemically-induced injury model; hence, it may be a useful tool for research on SCI.

Pharmacological Activities and Applications of Spicatoside A

Liriopogons (Liriope and Opiopogon) species are used as a main medicinal ingredient in several Asian countries. The Liriopes Radix (tuber, root of Liriope platyphylla) has to be a promising candidate due to their source of phytochemicals. Steroidal saponins and their glycosides, phenolic compounds, secondary metabolites are considered of active constituents in Liriopes Radix. Spicatoside A, a steroidal saponin, could be more efficacious drug candidate in future. In this review, we summarized the available knowledge on phytochemical and pharmacological activities for spicatoside A. It significantly suppressed the level of NF-κB, NO, iNOS, Cox-2, IL-1β, IL-6 and MAPKs in LPS-stimulated inflammation. The production of MUC5AC mucin was increased. MMP-13 expression was down-regulated in IL-1β-treated cells and reduced glycosaminoglycan release from IL-1α-treated cells. The neurite outgrowth activity, PI3K, Akt, ERK1/2, TrkA and CREB phosphorylation and neurotropic factors such as NGF and BDNF were upregulated with increased latency time. It also showed cell growth inhibitory activity on various carcinoma cells. From this, spicatoside A exerts anti-inflammation, anti-asthma, anti-osteoclastogenesis, neurite outgrowth, memory consolidation and anticancer activities. Further studies are needed on spicatoside A in order to understand mechanisms of action to treat various human diseases.

Motor neurons derived from ALS-related mouse iPS cells recapitulate pathological features of ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a late-onset progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain. Mutations in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) are known to induce ALS. Although many research models have been developed, the exact pathological mechanism of ALS remains unknown. The recently developed induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology is expected to illuminate the pathological mechanisms and new means of treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. To determine the pathological mechanism of ALS, we generated mouse iPS (miPS) cells from experimental ALS transgenic mice and control mice and characterized the cells using molecular biological methods. The generated miPS cells expressed many pluripotent genes and differentiated into three germ layers in vitro and in vivo. Motor neurons derived from ALS-related miPS cells recapitulated the pathological features of ALS. The ALS-model motor neurons showed SOD1 aggregates, as well as decreased cell survival rate and neurite length compared with wild-type motor neurons. Our study will be helpful in revealing the mechanism of motor neuronal cell death in ALS.

Reactive Oxygen Species are Involved in Y-27632-induced Neurite Outgrowth in PC12 Cells

Inhibition of Rho-associated coiled coil-containing kinase (ROCK) has been reported to promote differentiation of neuronal cells. Here, we examined the effect of Y-27632, a ROCK inhibitor, on the outgrowth of neurites in PC12 cells. Y-27632 caused a rapid induction of neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells in a time-dependent manner. The neurite outgrowth, triggered by Y-27632, was accompanied by Rac1 activation, and was attenuated by Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766, in a concentration-dependent manner. Y-27632 also induced an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine, an ROS scavenger, inhibited the ROS generation and neurite outgrowth in response to Y-27632. These results indicate that the activation of Rac1 and the generation of ROS contribute to the neurite outgrowth triggered by Y-27632 in PC12 cells.

Differentiation of human gingival mesenchymal stem cells into neuronal lineages in 3D bioconjugated injectable protein hydrogel construct for the management of neuronal disorder

The success of regeneration attempt is based on an ideal combination of stem cells, scaffolding and growth factors. Tissue constructs help to maintain stem cells in a required area for a desired time. There is a need for easily obtainable cells, potentially autologous stem cells and a biologically acceptable scaffold for use in humans in different difficult situations. This study aims to address these issues utilizing a unique combination of stem cells from gingiva and a hydrogel scaffold, based on a natural product for regenerative application. Human gingival mesenchymal stem cells (HGMSCs) were, with due induction, differentiated to neuronal lineages to overcome the problems associated with birth tissue-related stem cells. The differentiation potential of neuronal lineages was confirmed with suitable specific markers. The properties of mesenchymal stem cells in encapsulated form were observed to be similar to free cells. The encapsulated cells (3D) were then subjected to differentiation into neuronal lineages with suitable inducers, and the morphology and gene expression of transient cells were analyzed. HGMSCs was differentiated into neuronal lineages as both free and encapsulated forms without any significant differences. The presence of Nissl bodies and the neurite outgrowth confirm the differentiation. The advantages of this new combination appear to make it a promising tissue construct for translational application.

Association between overweight and characteristics of young adult students: support for nursing care / Associação entre excesso de peso e características de adultos jovens escolares: subsídio ao cuidado de enfermagem / Asociación entre exceso de peso y características de adultos jóvenes escolares: contribución para el cuidado de enfermería

OBJECTIVE: to verify associations between overweight and the characteristics of young adult students to support nursing care. METHOD: case-control study conducted with young adults from public schools. The sample was composed of 441 participants (147 cases and 294 controls, with and without excess weight, respectively). Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were collected together with exposure factors and anthropometrics. Multiple logistic regression was used. The study received Institutional Review Board approval. RESULTS: statistically significant association with overweight: non-Caucasian, having a partner; weight gain during adolescence, mother's excess weight, the use of obesogenic medication, augmented diastolic blood pressure, of abdominal circumference and waist/hip ratio. In addition to these, schooling and weight gain during childhood were also included in the multivariate analysis. After adjustment, the final model included: having a partner, weight gain during adolescence, augmented diastolic blood pressure and abdominal circumference. CONCLUSION: the analysis of predictor variables for excess weight among young adult students supports nurses in planning and developing educational practices aimed to prevent this clinical condition, which is a risk factor for other chronic comorbidities, such as cardiovascular diseases. .

OBJETIVO: verificar a associação entre excesso de peso e características de adultos jovens escolares, como subsídio ao cuidado de enfermagem. MÉTODO: estudo caso-controle, realizado com adultos jovens de escolas públicas. Amostra composta por 441 participantes (147 casos e 294 controles, com e sem excesso de peso, respectivamente). Coletaram-se informações sociodemográficas, clínicas, fatores de exposição e antropometria. Utilizou-se regressão logística múltipla. O estudo foi aprovado em comitê de ética. RESULTADOS: detectou-se associação estatística significativa com excesso de peso em: não brancos, ter companheiro(a), ganho ponderal na adolescência, excesso de peso materno, uso de fármacos obesogênicos, pressão arterial diastólica aumentada, circunferência abdominal e relação cintura quadril. Além destas, entraram na análise multivariada as variáveis escolaridade e ganho ponderal na infância. Após etapa de ajuste permaneceram no modelo final: estado civil com companheiro(a), ganho ponderal na adolescência, pressão arterial diastólica aumentada e circunferência abdominal aumentada. CONCLUSÃO: a análise das variáveis preditoras para o excesso de peso em adultos jovens escolares possibilita ao enfermeiro bases para elaboração e planejamento de práticas educativas que visem à prevenção desta condição clínica, visualizada como fator de risco para outras comorbidades de caráter crônico, como as doenças cardiovasculares. .

OBJETIVO: verificar la asociación entre exceso de peso y características de adultos jóvenes escolares como contribución para el cuidado de enfermería. MÉTODO: estudio de caso control realizado con adultos jóvenes de escuelas públicas. Muestra compuesta por 441 participantes (147 casos y 294 controles, con y sin exceso de peso, respectivamente). Se recolectaron características sociodemográficas, clínicas, factores de exposición y antropometría. Se utilizó la regresión logística múltiple. El estudio fue aprobado por comité de ética. RESULTADOS: se detectó asociación estadística significativa con exceso de peso: no blancos, tener compañero, aumento de peso en la adolescencia, exceso de peso materno, uso de medicamentos obesogénicos, presión arterial diastólica aumentada, circunferencia abdominal aumentada y relación cintura-cadera. Además de estas, entraron en el análisis multivariado las variables escolaridad y aumento de peso en la infancia. Después de la etapa de ajuste permanecieron en el modelo final: estado civil con compañero, aumento de peso en la adolescencia, presión arterial diastólica aumentada y circunferencia abdominal aumentada. CONCLUSIÓN: el análisis de las variables de predicción para el exceso de peso en adultos jóvenes escolares suministra al enfermero bases para la elaboración y planificación de prácticas educativas que objetiven la prevención de esta condición clínica, visualizada como factor de riesgo para otras enfermedades concomitantes de carácter crónico, como las enfermedades cardiovasculares. .

Insulin-like growth factor (IgF)-I, IgF binding protein-3, and prostate cancer: correlation with gleason score

Introduction Non-androgenic growth factors are involved in the growth regulation of prostate cancer (PCa). Objective This is the first Brazilian study to correlate, in a population of patients operated for PCa, PSA, total testosterone, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) with Gleason score and to compare with a control group with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Materials and Methods This retrospective single-center study included 49 men with previously diagnosed PCa and 45 with previously diagnosed BPH. PSA, testosterone, IGF-I, IGFBP-3 were determined in both groups. Results PSA and IGFBP-3 levels were significantly higher in the PCa group as compared to the BPH group (p<0.001 and p=0.004, respectively). There was a significant difference when we compared the PSA before surgery (p<0.001) and at the inclusion in the study (p<0.001) and IGFBP3 (0.016) among patients with Gleason <7, ≥7 and BPH. In the PCa group, PSA, testosterone, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were comparable between Gleason <7 and ≥7. Conclusions Our data suggest that in localized PCa, the quantification of PSA and, not of IGF-1, may provide independent significant information in the aggressiveness. IGFBP-3 could be a biochemical marker of disease control in PCa patients. .

Quercetin promotes neurite growth through enhancing intracellular cAMP level and GAP-43 expression / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to investigate the role of quercetin on neurite growth in N1E-115 cells and the underlying mechanisms. Quercetin was evaluated for its effects on cell numbers of neurites, neurite length, intracellular cAMP content, and Gap-43 expression in N1E-115 cells in vitro by use of microscopy, LANCE(tm) cAMP 384 kit, and Western blot analysis, respectively. Our results showed that quercetin could increase the neurite length in a concentration-dependent manner, but had no effect on the numbers of cells. Quercetin significantly increased the expression of cellular cAMP in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The Gap-43 expression was up-regulated in a time-dependent manner. In conclusion, quercetin could promote neurite growth through increasing the intracellular cAMP level and Gap-43 expression.