Remote Ischemic Conditioning Mediates Cardio-protection After Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Reducing 4-HNE Levels and Regulating Autophagy via the ALDH2/SIRT3/HIF1α Signaling Pathway.

Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) can be effectively applied for cardio-protection. Here, to clarify whether RIC exerts myocardial protection via aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), we established a myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) model in C57BL/6 and ALDH2 knockout (ALDH2-KO) mice and treated them with RIC. Echocardiography and single-cell contraction experiments showed that RIC significantly improved myocardial function and alleviated I/R injury in C57BL/6 mice but did not exhibit its cardioprotective effects in ALDH2-KO mice. TUNEL, Evan's blue/triphenyl tetrazolium chloride, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays showed that RIC's effect on reducing myocardial cell apoptosis, myocardial infarction area, and ROS levels was insignificant in ALDH2-KO mice. Our results showed that RIC could increase ALDH2 protein levels, activate sirtuin 3 (SIRT3)/hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1α), inhibit autophagy, and exert myocardial protection. This study revealed that RIC could exert myocardial protection via the ALDH2/SIRT3/HIF1α signaling pathway by reducing 4-HNE secretion.

Surgical treatment of intracranial arachnoid cyst in adult patients.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial arachnoid cyst (IAC) is a benign cystic lesion filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Different surgical treatments were evaluated to determine the most effective technique among several. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of 68 adult patients (43 males, mean age 30.3 years, range 18-42 years) with IAC were surgically treated between January 2004 and January 2011. The cysts were supratentorial in location in 53 and infratentorial in 15 patients. Symptoms at presentation, location of the IAC, surgical treatment modalities, and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 51 patients with headache, 44 (86.27%) patients had complete relief of the headache, five (9.80%) patients had significant improvement, and two (3.92%) had no worthwhile change. Three of the four patients with hydrocephalus and gait disturbances had relief of the symptoms and one patient had significant improvement. Of the five patients with cognitive decline and weakness, three (60.00%) patients showed improvement, and two (40.00%) patients had no significant change. Five (62.50%) of the eight patients with epilepsy had seizure remission, two (25.00%) patients had non-disabling seizures, and one had no change. Follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans showed variable change in the mass effect of IAC in 68 patients; cystic size was significantly reduced in 51 patients, no significant change in two patients of supratentorial arachnoid cysts. Cystic size was reduced in seven patients, but no significant change was observed in eight patients of infratentorial cysts. Three patients with enlarged head circumference had no further increase in the head circumference. CONCLUSION: Adult patients with IAC symptoms should be treated efficiently. Surgical treatment is associated with significant improvement in the symptoms and signs.

Perceptions of technology among older adults.

Changes and advancements in technology have the potential to benefit older adults by promoting independence and increasing the ability to age in place. However, older adults are less likely to adopt new technology unless they see benefits to themselves. This study assessed the perceptions of 30 older adults in the Midwest concerning technology via three separate focus groups (i.e., independent apartment complex, a rural community, exercise program participants), which addressed a need in the literature (i.e., inclusion of oldest-old and rural individuals). The focus group questions included items such as what technology older adults currently used, desired improvements in technology, and the greatest challenges participants were facing or would face in the future. Overall, older adults were enthusiastic about learning new forms of technology that could help them maintain their independence and quality of life. Five themes emerged from all three focus groups: (a) Frustrations, Limitations, and Usability Concerns; (b) Transportation; (c) Help and Assistance; (d) Self-Monitoring; and (e) Gaming. The themes have important implications for future technology developed for older adults; in particular, older adults were willing and eager to adopt new technology when usefulness and usability outweighed feelings of inadequacy.