Electrochemical characteristics of ultramicro-dimensioned SIROF electrodes for neural stimulation and recording.

OBJECTIVE: With ever increasing applications of neural recording and stimulation, the necessity for developing neural interfaces with higher selectivity and lower invasiveness is inevitable. Reducing the electrode size is one approach to achieving such goals. In this study, we investigated the effect of electrode geometric surface area (GSA), from 20 µm2 to 1960 µm2, on the electrochemical impedance and charge-injection properties of sputtered iridium oxide (SIROF) coated electrodes in response to current-pulsing typical of neural stimulation. These data were used to assess the electrochemical properties of ultra-small SIROF electrodes (GSA < 200 µm2) for stimulation and recording applications. APPROACH: SIROF charge storage capacities (CSC), impedance, and charge-injection characteristics during current-pulsing of planar, circular electrodes were evaluated in an inorganic model of interstitial fluid (model-ISF). MAIN RESULTS: SIROF electrodes as small as 20 µm2 could provide 1.3 nC/phase (200 µs pulse width, 0.6 V versus Ag|AgCl interpulse bias) of charge during current pulsing. The 1 kHz impedance of all electrodes used in this study were below 1 MΩ, which is suitable for neural recording. SIGNIFICANCE: Ultra-small SIROF electrodes are capable of charge injection in buffered saline at levels above some reported thresholds for neural stimulation with microelectrodes.

The mechanism of sesame oil in ameliorating experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6 mice.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a Th1 cell-mediated autoimmune disease of the CNS that serves as an animal model for multiple sclerosis (MS). The study investigated the effectiveness of treatment with sesame oil on the development of EAE. EAE was induced in 8 week old C57BL/6 mice with an emulsion of MOG35-55. Therapy with sesame oil (4 mL/kg/day as oral gavage) was started on day 3 before the immunization. IFN-gamma and IL-10 production from cultured spleen supernatants were determined by the ELISA method. The results showed that daily oral gavage of sesame oil significantly reduced the clinical symptoms of EAE in C57BL/6 mice. In addition, sesame oil-treated mice displayed a significantly delayed disease onset. Mononuclear cells isolated from spleen of sesame oil-treated mice showed a significant decrease in the production of IFN-gamma compared with control mice (p = 0.001). IL-10 production was also enhanced in splenic mononuclear cells in sesame oil-treated mice. The ratio of IFN-gamma to IL-10 in sesame oil-treated EAE mice was significantly less than in non-treated EAE mice (p = 0.01). This report indicates that sesame oil therapy protected mice from developing EAE by reducing IFN-gamma secretion. Thus, sesame oil treatment may be effective in MS patients by immunomodulating the Th1 immune response.

Immunomodulatory effects of saffron: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Saffron is the dried stigmata of the flowers of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Saffron is rich in carotenoids and carotenoids affect immunity. Thus, in this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial with healthy men aged 21.4 ± 0.8 years (mean ± SE), the effects of taking one 100 mg saffron tablet daily for 6 weeks on the blood serum levels of IgG, IgM, IgA, C(3) and C(4) complements, counts and percentages of white blood cells, platelets, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes and monocytes, levels of some hematological parameters and levels of creatinine, SGOT and SGPT were evaluated in 45 subjects and compared with the placebo group (n = 44). After 3 weeks, saffron increased the IgG level and decreased the IgM level compared with the baseline and placebo (p < 0.01), decreased the percentage of basophils and the count of platelets compared with baseline, but increased the percentage of monocytes compared with placebo (p < 0.05). However, these parameters returned to the baseline levels after 6 weeks. Saffron did not have any significant effects on the other parameters. No adverse effects were reported. The results suggest that the sub-chronic daily use of 100 mg saffron has temporary immunomodulatory activities without any adverse effects.

Imaging review of neurofibromatosis: helpful aspects for early detection.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is divided into two types, NF type 1 and NF type 2. Optic nerve gliomas have a high degree of association with NF type 1. NF 2, less commonly seen, is a complex of cutaneous and deep neural tumors. It is an autosomal dominant familial disorder in which CNS is affected in about 15% of the cases. Bilateral acoustic neuromas are pathognomonic of NF type 2 which may be associated with meningiomas or ependymomas. Typical clinical manifestations of neurofibromatosis are cafe-au-lait spots and multiple cutaneous tumors. There is bone involvement as scoliosis, pseudoarthrosis of long bones, scalloping of vertebral bodies, abnormal rib tubulation and defective ossification of the skull. Extraskeletal manifestations of neurofibromatosis include optic nerve gliomas, pheochromocytoma, aneurysms of cerebral and renal arteries, acoustic neurilemmoma and superficial skin nodular neurofibromas.Here, we intend to present images of several cases of neurofibromatosis with different patterns of body involvement.

Therapeutic effect of EDTA in experimental model of multiple sclerosis.

UNLABELLED: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, neurodegenerative disease that causes central nervous system (CNS) demyelination and affects approximately 2 million people worldwide. The aim of the present study was to test the therapeutic effect of ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) in an experimental model of MS. The experiment was done on male C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks. The experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced using 250 microg of the MOG35-55 peptide emulsified in CFA and injected subcutaneously on day 0 over two flank areas. In addition, 250 ng of pertussis toxin in 400 microl PBS was injected i.p. on days 0 and 2. In the treatment group, EDTA was administered i.p. at a dose 75 mg/kg/day. The mice were sacrificed 21 days after EAE induction and blood samples were taken from their hearts. The brains of mice were removed for histological analysis and their isolated splenocytes were cultured. RESULTS: Our results showed that treatment with EDTA caused a significant delay in the time of onset and a significant reduction in severity of the EAE. Histological analysis indicated that there was not any plaque in the group of EDTA-treated mice whereas 5 +/- 1 plaques were detected in controls. The density of mononuclear infiltration in the CNS of EDTA-treated mice was lower than controls. In the group of EDTA-treated mice, using the FRAP test, total serum antioxidant power was high and significant in comparison to the controls. Moreover, the serum level of nitric oxide in the treatment group was significantly less than the control group, and, also, the levels of IFN-gamma in the cell culture supernatant of treated mice splenocytes was lower than control group. These data indicate that EDTA therapy can effectively attenuate EAE progression.

Therapeutic approach by Aloe vera in experimental model of multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that leads to an inflammatory demyelination, axonal damage, and progressive neurologic disability that affects approximately 2.5 million people worldwide. The aim of the present research was to test the therapeutic effect of Aloe vera in experimental model of MS. All experiments were conducted on C57BL/6 male mice aged 6-8 weeks. To induce the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), 250 microg of the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 peptide emulsified in complete freund's adjuvant was injected subcutaneously on day 0 over two flank areas. In addition, 200 ng of pertussis toxin in 100 microL phosphate buffered saline was injected intraperitoneally on days 0 and 2. The therapeutic protocol was carried out intragastrically using 120 mg/kg/day Aloe vera from 7 days before to 21 days after EAE induction. The mice were killed 21 days after EAE induction. The brains of mice were removed for histological analysis and their isolated splenocytes were cultured. The results indicated that treatment with Aloe vera caused a significant reduction in severity of the disease in experimental model of MS. Histological analysis showed 3 +/- 2 plaques in Aloe vera-treated mice compared with 5 +/- 1 plaques in control group. The density of mononuclear infiltration in the CNS of Aloe vera-treated mice (500 +/- 200) was significantly less in comparison to 700 +/- 185 cells in control group. Moreover, the serum level of nitric oxide in treatment group was significantly less than control animals. The level of interferon-gamma in cell culture supernatant of treated mice splenocytes was lower than control group, whereas decrease in serum level of interleukin-10 in treatment group was not significant in comparison with control mice. These data indicate that Aloe vera therapy can attenuate the disease progression in experimental model of MS.

Effect of ethanol extract of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on the inhibition of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57bl/6 mice.

In this study, effect of ethanol extract of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in the treatment of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) in C57BL/6 mice was evaluated. EAE was induced by immunization of 8 week old mice with MOG(35-55) with complete Freunds adjuvant. Therapy with saffron was started on day the immunization. Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) was assessed by Ferric Reducing-Antioxidant Power (FRAP) method. Nitric oxide (NO) production was also estimated by Griess reaction. For histological analysis, mice brain was harvested and sections were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin. After daily oral dosage the saffron significantly reduced the clinical symptoms in C57BL/6 mice with EAE. Also, treated mice displayed a delayed disease onset compared with control mice. TAC production was significantly elevated in saffron treated mice. Effect of saffron on serum NO production was not significant. Typical spinal cord leukocyte infiltration was observed in control mice compared with saffron treated mice. These results suggest for the first time that saffron is effective in the prevention of symptomatic EAE by inhibition of oxidative stress and leukocyte infiltration to CNS and may be potentially useful for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

The profile of cytokines and IgG subclasses in BALB/c mice after immunization with Brucella ribosomal gene.

This study was evaluated the ability of DNA vaccine encoding L7/L12 protein of Brucella sp. to induce cellular and humoral immune responses in BALB/c mice and the profile of cytokines and IgG sub classes were determined. Intra muscular vaccination of mice using L7/L12 gene. Three vaccinations at 3 week intervals were performed. Cytokines and IgG subclasses were analyzed 3 week after the last DNA vaccination. Splenic lymphocytes from L7/L12pCDNA3-vaccinated mice produced high levels of IFNy (3100 pg mL(-1)) and low levels of IL-5 (300 pg mL(-1)), 3 weeks post-vaccination. The L7/L12pCDNA3 immunizations elicited high IgG2a isotype response in mice immunized. This antigen also induced IgG1 titers which were slightly lower than the IgG2a titers. Immunological analysis shows the appropriate immune response in BALB/c mice model after vaccination with L7/L12 gene. The high level of IFNgamma and low level of IL-5 in combination with high IgG2a/IgG1 ratio show the activation of Th1 cell response. The lower bacterial cfu from vaccinated mice in comparison with control groups show the efficiency of L7/L12 DNA vaccination in mice model.

Effect of sesame oil on the inhibition of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6 mice.

Sesame oil was evaluated in the treatment of in C57BL/6 mice. It has profound anti-inflammatory activity and been traditionally used to treat inflammatory disorders. EAE was induced by immunization of 6-8 week old mice with MOG(35-55) with complete Freunds adjuvant. Therapy with sesame oil was started on day 3 before the immunization. Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) was assessed by Ferric Reducing-antioxidant Power (FRAP) method. Nitric Oxide (NO) production was also estimated by Griess reaction. For histological analysis, mice brain was harvested and sections were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin. After daily intraperitoneal dosage the sesame oil significantly reduced the clinical symptoms in C57BL/6 mice with EAE. Also, treated mice displayed a significantly delayed disease onset compared with control mice. Sesame oil significantly increased TAC, but it's effect on serum nitrite production was not significant. Typical brain leukocyte infiltration was observed in control mice compared with treated mice. Present results suggest for the first time that sesame oil therapy may be effective in the prevention of symptomatic EAE. This resistance to encephalomyelitis may be associated with inhibition of oxidative stress.