scholarly journals Therapeutic Hypothermia and Neuroprotection in Acute Neurological Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (29) ◽  
pp. 5430-5455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kota Kurisu ◽  
Jong Youl Kim ◽  
Jesung You ◽  
Midori A. Yenari

:Therapeutic hypothermia has consistently been shown to be a robust neuroprotectant in many labs studying different models of neurological disease. Although this therapy has shown great promise, there are still challenges at the clinical level that limit the ability to apply this routinely to each pathological condition. In order to overcome issues involved in hypothermia therapy, understanding of this attractive therapy is needed. We review methodological concerns surrounding therapeutic hypothermia, introduce the current status of therapeutic cooling in various acute brain insults, and review the literature surrounding the many underlying molecular mechanisms of hypothermic neuroprotection. Because recent work has shown that body temperature can be safely lowered using pharmacological approaches, this method may be an especially attractive option for many clinical applications. Since hypothermia can affect multiple aspects of brain pathophysiology, therapeutic hypothermia could also be considered a neuroprotection model in basic research, which would be used to identify potential therapeutic targets. We discuss how research in this area carries the potential to improve outcome from various acute neurological disorders.

This handbook examines cutting-edge developments in research and applications of small or mesoscopic superconductors, offering a glimpse of what might emerge as a giga world of nano superconductors. Contributors, who are eminent frontrunners in the field, share their insights on the current status and great promise of small superconductors in the theoretical, experimental, and technological spheres. They discuss the novel and intriguing features and theoretical underpinnings of the phenomenon of mesoscopic superconductivity, the latest fabrication methods and characterization tools, and the opportunities and challenges associated with technological advances. The book is organized into three parts. Part I deals with developments in basic research of small superconductors, including local-scale spectroscopic studies of vortex organization in such materials, Andreev reflection and related studies in low-dimensional superconducting systems, and research on surface and interface superconductivity. Part II covers the materials aspects of small superconductors, including mesoscopic effects in superconductor–ferromagnet hybrids, micromagnetic measurements on electrochemically grown mesoscopic superconductors, and magnetic flux avalanches in superconducting films with mesoscopic artificial patterns. Part III reviews the current progress in the device technology of small superconductors, focusing on superconducting spintronics and devices, barriers in Josephson junctions, hybrid superconducting devices based on quantum wires, superconducting nanodevices, superconducting quantum bits of information, and the use of nanoSQUIDs in the investigation of small magnetic systems.


2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 5372-5381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nigel K Stepto ◽  
Alba Moreno-Asso ◽  
Luke C McIlvenna ◽  
Kirsty A Walters ◽  
Raymond J Rodgers

Abstract Context Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine condition affecting 8% to 13% of women across the lifespan. PCOS affects reproductive, metabolic, and mental health, generating a considerable health burden. Advances in treatment of women with PCOS has been hampered by evolving diagnostic criteria and poor recognition by clinicians. This has resulted in limited clinical and basic research. In this study, we provide insights into the current and future research on the metabolic features of PCOS, specifically as they relate to PCOS-specific insulin resistance (IR), that may affect the most metabolically active tissue, skeletal muscle. Current Knowledge PCOS is a highly heritable condition, yet it is phenotypically heterogeneous in both reproductive and metabolic features. Human studies thus far have not identified molecular mechanisms of PCOS-specific IR in skeletal muscle. However, recent research has provided new insights that implicate energy-sensing pathways regulated via epigenomic and resultant transcriptomic changes. Animal models, while in existence, have been underused in exploring molecular mechanisms of IR in PCOS and specifically in skeletal muscle. Future Directions Based on the latest evidence synthesis and technologies, researchers exploring molecular mechanisms of IR in PCOS, specifically in muscle, will likely need to generate new hypothesis to be tested in human and animal studies. Conclusion Investigations to elucidate the molecular mechanisms driving IR in PCOS are in their early stages, yet remarkable advances have been made in skeletal muscle. Overall, investigations have thus far created more questions than answers, which provide new opportunities to study complex endocrine conditions.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 795
Author(s):  
Lukas Gorecki ◽  
Martin Andrs ◽  
Jan Korabecny

Selective killing of cancer cells while sparing healthy ones is the principle of the perfect cancer treatment and the primary aim of many oncologists, molecular biologists, and medicinal chemists. To achieve this goal, it is crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms that distinguish cancer cells from healthy ones. Accordingly, several clinical candidates that use particular mutations in cell-cycle progressions have been developed to kill cancer cells. As the majority of cancer cells have defects in G1 control, targeting the subsequent intra‑S or G2/M checkpoints has also been extensively pursued. This review focuses on clinical candidates that target the kinases involved in intra‑S and G2/M checkpoints, namely, ATR, CHK1, and WEE1 inhibitors. It provides insight into their current status and future perspectives for anticancer treatment. Overall, even though CHK1 inhibitors are still far from clinical establishment, promising accomplishments with ATR and WEE1 inhibitors in phase II trials present a positive outlook for patient survival.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonali Pal ◽  
Manoj Garg ◽  
Amit Kumar Pandey

Amongst the various gynecological malignancies affecting female health globally, ovarian cancer is one of the predominant and lethal among all. The identification and functional characterization of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are made possible with the advent of RNA-seq and the advancement of computational logarithm in understanding human disease biology. LncRNAs can interact with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), proteins and their combinations. Moreover, lncRNAs regulate orchestra of diverse functions including chromatin organization and transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. LncRNAs have conferred their critical role in key biological processes in human cancer including tumor initiation, proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, and metastasis. The interwoven function of tumor-suppressor protein p53-linked lncRNAs in the ovarian cancer paradigm is of paramount importance. Several lncRNAs operate as p53 regulators or effectors and modulates a diverse array of functions either by participating in various signaling cascades or via interaction with different proteins. This review highlights the recent progress made in the identification of p53 associated lncRNAs while elucidating their molecular mechanisms behind the altered expression in ovarian cancer tumorigenesis. Moreover, the development of novel clinical and therapeutic strategies for targeting lncRNAs in human cancers harbors great promise.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Wu ◽  
Xianjing Hu ◽  
Liyan Song ◽  
Jianhua Zhu ◽  
Rongmin Yu

Inflammation is known to be closely associated with the development of cancer. The study was launched in human cervical cancer HeLa cells to investigate the antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects of P2, a marine polypeptide fraction from an important fishery resourceArca subcrenata. The basic research showed that P2 could suppress the production of nitric oxide in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells as well as the secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-αin human cervical cancer HeLa cells. For the molecular mechanisms, P2 was shown to downregulate the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 and to inhibit the COX-2 and iNOS-related pathways in HeLa cells. In consequence, P2 might inhibit tumor development by blocking the interaction between tumor microenvironment and proinflammatory mediators. All findings indicate that P2 possesses the potential to be developed as a novel agent for cancer therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Autilio ◽  
M. Echaide ◽  
A. Cruz ◽  
C. Mouton ◽  
A. Hidalgo ◽  
...  

AbstractTherapeutic hypothermia (TH) enhances pulmonary surfactant performance in vivo by molecular mechanisms still unknown. Here, the interfacial structure and the composition of lung surfactant films have been analysed in vitro under TH as well as the molecular basis of its improved performance both under physiological and inhibitory conditions. The biophysical activity of a purified porcine surfactant was tested under slow and breathing-like dynamics by constrained drop surfactometry (CDS) and in the captive bubble surfactometer (CBS) at both 33 and 37 °C. Additionally, the temperature-dependent surfactant activity was also analysed upon inhibition by plasma and subsequent restoration by further surfactant supplementation. Interfacial performance was correlated with lateral structure and lipid composition of films made of native surfactant. Lipid/protein mixtures designed as models to mimic different surfactant contexts were also studied. The capability of surfactant to drastically reduce surface tension was enhanced at 33 °C. Larger DPPC-enriched domains and lower percentages of less active lipids were detected in surfactant films exposed to TH-like conditions. Surfactant resistance to plasma inhibition was boosted and restoration therapies were more effective at 33 °C. This may explain the improved respiratory outcomes observed in cooled patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and opens new opportunities in the treatment of acute lung injury.


Author(s):  
Heng Cao ◽  
Peng Guo ◽  
Xiaohui Wu ◽  
Jiankun Li ◽  
Chenlong Ge ◽  
...  

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of digestive tract in the world. Therefore, it is important to carry out studies on the molecular mechanisms of early diagnosis and treatment of HCC to reduce mortality. Methods: Bioinformatic analysis was performed to explore the significant role of GCSF on the occurrence and development of neoplasm. Differently expressed genes (DEGs) were screened, and the significant hub genes related with GCSF were identified by the multiple algorithms of Cytoscape. Functional annotation for DEGs, pathological stage and overall survival analysis were implemented. In addition, the verification for the role of GCSF on HCC was made via the clinical samples. A total of 70 participates diagnosed as HCC were recruited from November 2014 to November 2019. The immunohistochemistry assay, qRT-PCR, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and overall survival analysis were carried out. Results: GCSF was related with the tumor size, and the expression of GCSF was up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. The enrichment results of GO and KEGG analysis were mainly enriched in “Inflammatory response”, “Protein binding”, “Metabolic pathways”, and “Proteasome”. The tumor diameter (P < 0.001), and survival time (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with expression of GCSF via the verification of clinical data. The univariate and multivariate Cox proportional regression analysis manifested that high expression of GCSF in patients with HCC was related to poor OS. Conclusion: The expression level of GCSF is significantly associated with the prognostic survival of HCC, and it is expected to become a new prognostic marker of HCC, providing a novel idea for future basic research as well as targeted therapy.


Materials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seo Lee ◽  
Jae Kang ◽  
Dokyoung Kim

Porous silicon has been utilized within a wide spectrum of industries, as well as being used in basic research for engineering and biomedical fields. Recently, surface modification methods have been constantly coming under the spotlight, mostly in regard to maximizing its purpose of use. Within this review, we will introduce porous silicon, the experimentation preparatory methods, the properties of the surface of porous silicon, and both more conventional as well as newly developed surface modification methods that have assisted in attempting to overcome the many drawbacks we see in the existing methods. The main aim of this review is to highlight and give useful insight into improving the properties of porous silicon, and create a focused description of the surface modification methods.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christudas Morais

Of the many targeted therapies introduced since 2006, sunitinib has carved its way to become the most commonly used first-line therapy for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Despite significant improvements in progression-free survival, 30% of the patients are intrinsically resistant to sunitinib and the remaining 70% who respond initially will eventually become resistant in 6–15 months. While the molecular mechanisms of acquired resistance to sunitinib have been unravelling at a rapid rate, the mechanisms of intrinsic resistance remain elusive. Combination therapy, sunitinib-rechallenge and sequential therapy have been investigated as means to overcome resistance to sunitinib. Of these, sequential therapy appears to be the most promising strategy. This mini review summarises our emerging understanding of the molecular mechanisms, and the strategies employed to overcome sunitinib resistance.


Cells ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miruna Mihaela Micheu ◽  
Alina Ioana Scarlatescu ◽  
Alexandru Scafa-Udriste ◽  
Maria Dorobantu

Despite significant progress in treating ischemic cardiac disease and succeeding heart failure, there is still an unmet need to develop effective therapeutic strategies given the persistent high-mortality rate. Advances in stem cell biology hold great promise for regenerative medicine, particularly for cardiac regeneration. Various cell types have been used both in preclinical and clinical studies to repair the injured heart, either directly or indirectly. Transplanted cells may act in an autocrine and/or paracrine manner to improve the myocyte survival and migration of remote and/or resident stem cells to the site of injury. Still, the molecular mechanisms regulating cardiac protection and repair are poorly understood. Stem cell fate is directed by multifaceted interactions between genetic, epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Decoding stem cells’ “panomic” data would provide a comprehensive picture of the underlying mechanisms, resulting in patient-tailored therapy. This review offers a critical analysis of omics data in relation to stem cell survival and differentiation. Additionally, the emerging role of stem cell-derived exosomes as “cell-free” therapy is debated. Last but not least, we discuss the challenges to retrieve and analyze the huge amount of publicly available omics data.


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