Self-Regulation of Cerebral Metabolism and Its Neuroprotective Effect After Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury: Evidence From 1H-MRS

1H-MRS technology can be used to non-invasively detect the content of cerebral metabolites, to assess the severity of hypoxic-ischemic (HI) injury, and to predict the recovery of compromised neurological function. However, changes to the cerebral self-regulation process after HI are still unclear. This study investigated the changes in cerebral metabolites and the potential relationship with the number of neurons and neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPC) using 1H-MRS, and finally clarifies the self-regulation of cerebral metabolism and neuroprotection after HI injury. Newborn Yorkshire pigs (28 males, 1.0–1.5 kg) aged 3–5 days were used for the HI model in this study. The pigs were randomly divided into the HI group (n = 24) and the control group (n = 4), then the experimental group was subdivided according to different recovery time after HI into the following groups: 0–2 h (n = 4), 2–6 h (n = 4), 6–12 h (n = 4), 12–24 h (n = 4), 24–48 h (n = 4), and 48–72 h (n = 4). Following the HI timepoints, 1H-MRS scans were performed and processed using LCModel software, and brain tissue was immunohistochemically stained for Nestin and NeuN. Immunofluorescence staining of creatine phosphokinase-BB (CK-BB), N-acetylaspartylglutamate synthetase (NAAGS), glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCP-II), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), glutathione synthase (GS), and excitatory amino acid carrier 1 (EAAC1) was then performed. The 1H-MRS results showed that cerebral N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG), glutathione (GSH), and creatine (Cr) content reached their peaks at 12–24 h, which was consistent with the recovery time of hippocampal NSPCs and neurons, indicating a potential neuroprotective effect of NAAG, GSH, and Cr after HI injury.

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Intratympanic steroid therapy for Bell’s palsy with poor prognostic results

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-87551-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Akira Inagaki ◽

Sachiyo Katsumi ◽

Shinji Sekiya ◽

Shingo Murakami

Keyword(s):

Facial Nerve ◽

Steroid Therapy ◽

Standard Dose ◽

Neuroprotective Effect ◽

Bell’S Palsy ◽

Control Group ◽

Average Dose ◽

Test Results ◽

Bell's Palsy ◽

Intratympanic Dexamethasone

AbstractIn Bell’s palsy, electrodiagnosis by electroneurography (ENoG) is widely used to predict a patient’s prognosis. The therapeutic options for patients with poor prognostic results remain controversial. Here, we investigated whether early intervention with intratympanic steroid therapy (ITST) is an effective treatment for Bell’s palsy patients with poor electrodiagnostic test results (≤ 10% electroneurography value). Patients in the concurrent ITST group (n = 8) received the standard systemic dose of prednisolone (410 mg total) and intratympanic dexamethasone (16.5 mg total) and those in the control group (n = 21) received systemic prednisolone at the standard dose or higher (average dose, 605 ± 27 mg). A year after onset, the recovery rate was higher in the ITST group than in the control group (88% vs 43%, P = 0.044). The average House-Brackmann grade was better in the concurrent ITST group (1.13 ± 0.13 vs 1.71 ± 0.16, P = 0.035). Concurrent ITST improves the facial nerve outcome in patients with poor electroneurography test results, regardless of whether equivalent or lower glucocorticoid doses were administered. This may be ascribed to a neuroprotective effect of ITST due to a higher dose of steroid reaching the lesion due to dexamethasone transfer in the facial nerve.

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Neuroprotective Activity of the Methanolic Extract of Indigofera aspalathoides against Scopalamine induced Alzheimer's Disease in Experimental Rats

Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology ◽

10.52711/0974-360x.2021.00898 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 5163-5168

Author(s):

Rajaram C. ◽

S. Nelson Kumar ◽

S. S. Sheeba Tabassum ◽

Manohar R. ◽

Sumanjali C.

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Traditional Medicine ◽

Methanolic Extract ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Neuroprotective Effect ◽

Neuroprotective Activity ◽

Control Group ◽

Histological Structure ◽

Anticancer Activities

The plant Indigofera aspalathoides is a traditional medicine with tremendous therapeutic potential which finds it use in treatment of various ailments such as antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer activities. There are no reports that related to the use of this plant in treating patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Hence present study was aimed to scientifically evaluate the neuroprotective effect of the methanolic extract of Indigofera aspalathoides against scopalamine induced Alzheimer’s disease in experimental rats using behavioral tests like elevated plus maze, Y-maze, and rota-rod tests. In addition to this, biochemical evaluation for acetylcholinesterase activity and histopathological evaluation of brain were done. The results suggests that methanolic extract Indigofera aspalathoides (200mg/kg B.wt and 400mg/kg B.wt) used in this study shows significant improvement of various behavioral parameters like locomotion, anxiety, memory, motor integrity and coordination etc when compared to control group. MEIA inhibited brain AChE enzyme, thereby elevating Ach concentration in brain homogenate and ultimately improved memory of rats. Further, more or less normal histological structure of the hippocampus and all amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles that are formed under the influence of scopolamine disappeared in the rats pretreated with MEIA (200mg/kg B.wt and 400mg/kg B.wt). It can be concluded that our results strongly support the anti-Alzheimer’s potential of the methanolic extract of the plant I.aspalathoides and its use in traditional medicine.

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Transplantation of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells at Different Locations in Mice with Spinal Cord Injury

Cell Transplantation ◽

10.3727/096368913x670967 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (11) ◽

pp. 1451-1464 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Hiroki Iwai ◽

Satoshi Nori ◽

Soraya Nishimura ◽

Akimasa Yasuda ◽

Morito Takano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Progenitor Cells ◽

Functional Recovery ◽

Control Group ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Neural Stem Progenitor Cells ◽

Neurotropic Factor ◽

Transplantation Site

Transplantation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) promotes functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI); however, few studies have examined the optimal site of NS/PC transplantation in the spinal cord. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal transplantation site of NS/PCs for the treatment of SCI. Wild-type mice were generated with contusive SCI at the T10 level, and NS/PCs were derived from fetal transgenic mice. These NS/PCs ubiquitously expressed ffLuc-cp156 protein (Venus and luciferase fusion protein) and so could be detected by in vivo bioluminescence imaging 9 days postinjury. NS/PCs (low: 250,000 cells per mouse; high: 1 million cells per mouse) were grafted into the spinal cord at the lesion epicenter (E) or at rostral and caudal (RC) sites. Phosphate-buffered saline was injected into E as a control. Motor functional recovery was better in each of the transplantation groups (E-Low, E-High, RC-Low, and RC-High) than in the control group. The photon counts of the grafted NS/PCs were similar in each of the four transplantation groups, suggesting that the survival of NS/PCs was fairly uniform when more than a certain threshold number of cells were transplanted. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses demonstrated that brain-derived neurotropic factor expression was higher in the RC segment than in the E segment, and this may underlie why NS/PCs more readily differentiated into neurons than into astrocytes in the RC group. The location of the transplantation site did not affect the area of spared fibers, angiogenesis, or the expression of any other mediators. These findings indicated that the microenvironments of the E and RC sites are able to support NS/PCs transplanted during the subacute phase of SCI similarly. Optimally, a certain threshold number of NS/PCs should be grafted into the E segment to avoid damaging sites adjacent to the lesion during the injection procedure.

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Functional and Structural Effects of Erythropoietin Subconjunctival Administration in Glaucomatous Animals

Biomedicine Hub ◽

10.1159/000488970 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ana Paula Resende ◽

Serge G. Rosolen ◽

Telmo Nunes ◽

Berta São Braz ◽

Esmeralda Delgado

Keyword(s):

Neuroprotective Effect ◽

Treated Group ◽

Retinal Function ◽

Function Evaluation ◽

Control Group ◽

Albino Rats ◽

Subconjunctival Injection ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Structural Evaluation ◽

Retinal Structure

Purpose: The present study aimed to assess functional and structural benefits of erythropoietin (EPO) when administered subconjunctivally in the retina of glaucomatous rats using electroretinography (ERG) and retinal thickness (RT) measurements. Methods: Glaucoma was experimentally induced in 26 Wistar Hannover albino rats. Animals were divided into 2 groups of 13 animals each: a treated group receiving a unique subconjunctival injection of 1,000 IU of EPO and a control group receiving a saline solution. In each group, 7 animals were used for retinal function evaluation (ERG) and 6 animals were used for retinal structural evaluation (histology). RT was measured, dorsally and ventrally, at 500 μm (RT1) and at 1,500 μm (RT2) from the optic nerve. Results: Retinal function evaluation: for both scotopic and photopic conditions, ERG wave amplitudes increased in the treated group. This increase was statistically significant (p < 0.05) in photopic conditions. Structural evaluation: for both locations RT1 and RT2, the retinas were significantly (p < 0.05) thicker in the treated group. Conclusion: Subconjunctival EPO administration showed beneficial effects both on retinal structure and on retinal function in induced glaucoma in albino rats. This neuroprotective effect should be applied in other animal species.

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Neuroprotective Effect of Grewia carpinifolia Extract against Vanadium Induced Behavioural Impairment

Folia Veterinaria ◽

10.1515/fv-2016-0031 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 60 (4) ◽

pp. 5-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

O. E. Adebiyi ◽

J. O. Olopade ◽

F. O. Olayemi

Keyword(s):

Neuroprotective Effect ◽

Ethanolic Extract ◽

Control Group ◽

Protective Agent ◽

Central Nervous System Toxicity ◽

Sodium Metavanadate ◽

Latent Time ◽

Group A ◽

Vanadium Toxicity ◽

Group B

Abstract Vanadium (V), a heavy metal, has been reported to induce central nervous system toxicity leading to various behavioural impairments. It is characterized by the production of reactive oxygen. The present study was designed to test the possibility of Grewia carpinifolia ethanolic extract in preventing behavioural alterations following acute vanadium toxicity in mice. Twenty five Swiss albino mice (25—27 g) were completely randomized into 5 groups (A—E) of 5 animals each. Group A received distilled water and served as a control; group B, received vitamin E (500 mg.kg−1 b. w. every 72 hours), a known antioxidant orally, along with a daily dose of sodium metavanadate intraperitoneally (i. p.) for 7 days; group C and group D received Grewia carpinifolia leaf extract at 100 and 200 mg.kg−1 b.w orally respectively, along with the sodium metavanadate i. p. for 7 days; while group E received sodium metavanadate i. p. only for 7 days. The behavioural and motor functions were analysed by the open field, negative geotaxis, and hanging wire tests; the daily body and brain weights were recorded. Grewia carpinifolia ethanolic extracts significantly reduced the number of grooming, stretched attend posture, and freezing time that were significantly increased in the vanadium only group and also enhanced the vestibular functions. In addition, the latent time spent on the hanging wire in groups simultaneously administered with the extract and V compared favourably (P > 0.05) with the control groups but a decrease in latent time was observed in the V only group. The results suggest that acute V toxicity results in various behavioural deficits and support a possible role of Grewia carpinifolia as a protective agent against acute vanadium-toxicity with a better result at 200 mg.kg−1 b. w.

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Enhancing learning potential score in EFL listening comprehension and self-regulation through self-regulated dynamic assessment procedures

Language Testing in Asia ◽

10.1186/s40468-021-00126-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Parisa Abdolrezapour ◽

Nasim Ghanbari

Keyword(s):

Listening Comprehension ◽

Comparison Group ◽

Dynamic Assessment ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Control Group ◽

Assessment Procedure ◽

Learning Potential ◽

Theoretical Understanding ◽

Efl Learners ◽

Assessment Procedures

AbstractThis study aimed to integrate self-regulation strategies into dynamic assessment procedures of listening comprehension in an EFL setting and examine the possibility of raising EFL students’ listening comprehension and self-regulation skills. In addition, it explored the possibility of enhancing EFL learners’ potential scores in listening comprehension and self-regulation through applying self-regulation activities as a tool for motivating learners while being assessed. The assessment procedure was based on Vygotsky’s notion of the zone of proximal development and self-regulated intervention. The participants were 49 Iranian EFL learners in three groups: a control group, which received the institute’s regular instructional activities; a comparison group, which received dynamic assessment (DA); and an experimental group which received self-regulated dynamic assessment (SR-DA) procedures, in the form of an intervention focusing on cognitive, emotional, and behavioral self-regulation states of learners. Results of the study pointed to the potential of SR-DA for enhancing the students’ learning potential over and beyond that which is available from the DA (as offered to the comparison group) and the static testing (as offered to the control group). The results have important implications for a theoretical understanding of the mechanisms through which EFL learners develop necessary self-regulation skills in the EFL context.

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Analyzing the Embedded Learning-Based Movement Education Program’s Effects on Preschool Children’s Visual-Motor Coordination and Self-Regulation

Journal of Education and Learning ◽

10.5539/jel.v8n5p193 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 193

Author(s):

Fatma Ozkur ◽

Gokhan Duman

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Social Relations ◽

Education Program ◽

Motor Coordination ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Preschool Education ◽

Control Group ◽

Movement Education ◽

Visual Motor Coordination ◽

Visual Motor

Preschool children’s visual-motor coordination skills are very valuable for their academic and social learnings. Using these skills, children have a broad movement repertoire, display better academic skills, participate in classroom activities and social relations, and develop self-regulation. Self-regulation is required for children to set their goals, purposeful planning, monitoring, and adapting. Children are natural players and they enjoy to move and play. Early childhood programs should consider supporting the visual-motor coordination in joint play situations to enhance children’s behaviors. This study used movement activities designed with embedded learning instruction to create cooperative play and increased group interactions among children. The purpose of this research was to analyze the embedded learning-based movement education program’s effects on preschool children’s visual-motor coordination and self-regulation development. For this purpose, an experimental research design with pretest-posttest, control group constructed. Control group children followed their traditional (MoNE, 2013) preschool education program while the experiment group pursued embedded learning-based movement education. Results indicated that both groups of children had significantly better (p.≤.0.05) visual-motor coordination and self-regulation skills. The difference was greater in experience group of children and the correlation was stronger between visual-motor coordination and self-regulation. It has been found that embedded learning-based movement education program positively affected preschool children’s visual-motor coordination and self-regulation.

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Can anthropic fires affect epigaeic and hypogaeic Cerrado ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) communities in the same way?

Revista de Biología Tropical ◽

10.15517/rbt.v64i1.18239 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 64 (1) ◽

pp. 95 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ernesto Oliveira Canedo-Júnior ◽

Rafael Gonçalves Cuissi ◽

Nelson Henrique De Almeida Curi ◽

Guilherme Ramos Demetrio ◽

Chaim José Lasmar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Species Composition ◽

Recovery Time ◽

Fire Effects ◽

Control Area ◽

Control Group ◽

Ant Communities ◽

Fire Event ◽

Biological Communities ◽

One Year

Fire occurrences are a common perturbation in Cerrado ecosystems, and may differently impact the local biodiversity. Arthropods are one of the taxa affected by fires, and among them, ants are known as good bioindicators. We aimed to evaluate the effect of anthropic fires on epigaeic and hypogaeic ant communities (species richness and composition) in Cerrado areas with different post-fire event recovery periods. We conducted the study in four Cerrado areas during two weeks of 2012 dry season: one unburned and three at different post-fire times (one month, one and two years). We sampled ants with pitfall traps in epigaeic and hypogaeic microhabitats. We collected 71 ant morpho-species from 25 genera. In the epigaeic microhabitat we sampled 56 morpho-species and 42 in the hypogaeic microhabitat. The area with the shortest recovery time presented lower epigaeic ant species richness (4.3 ± 2.00) in comparison to the other areas (8.1 ± 2.68 species on one year area; 10.3 ± 2.66 species on two years area; 10.4 ± 2.31 species on control area), but recovery time did not affect hypogaeic ant species richness. Regarding ant species composition, fire did not directly affect hypogaeic ant species, which remained the same even one month after fire event. However, two years were not enough to reestablish ant species composition in both microhabitats in relation to our control group samples. Our study is the first to assess anthropic fire effects upon epigaeic and hypogaeic ants communities; highlighting the importance of evaluating different microhabitats, to more accurately detect the effects of anthropic disturbances in biological communities. We concluded that ant communities are just partially affected by fire occurrences, and epigaeic assemblages are the most affected ones in comparison to hypogaeic ants. Furthermore the study provides knowledge to aid in the creation of vegetation management programs that allow Cerrado conservation.

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Mindfulness meditation training in an occupational setting: Effects of a 12-weeks mindfulness-based intervention on wellbeing

Work ◽

10.3233/wor-210510 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Teresa Fazia ◽

Francesco Bubbico ◽

Giovanni Berzuini ◽

Laura Dalla Tezza ◽

Carolina Cortellini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mindfulness Meditation ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Emotional Awareness ◽

Self Report ◽

Psychological Wellbeing ◽

Control Group ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Occupational Setting ◽

Professional Outcomes

BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are known for their beneficial effects on positive and negative psychological factors. When applied in an occupational context, MBIs might help workers to cope with stress, increase their professional outcomes and wellbeing. OBJECTIVE: In this two-groups pre-post experimental design we tested the effect of our MBI, called Integral Meditation (IM), among the employers of an Italian service company by measuring positive and negative aspects of psychological wellbeing related to mindfulness and workplace functioning through eight self-report questionnaires (CORE-OM, FFMQ, WEMWBS, MAIA, PSS, PANAS, STAI-X1, SCS). METHOD: Forty-two voluntary non-clinical employers of the company, randomly assigned to the experimental or the control group, were analyzed. The experimental group underwent our IM program, which consists of 12 weekly meditation classes given after the afternoon shift, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data was analyzed via linear mixed models. RESULTS: Statistically significant results were obtained for FFMQ observing subscale (β= 0.49, p = 0.014), WEMWBS (β= 5.31, p = 0.02), PSS (β= –3.31, p = 0.03), the whole scale of SCS (β= 0.47, p = 0.01) and self-judgment (β= 0.68, p = 0.003) and isolation (β= –0.66, p = 0.01) SCS subscales. Statistically significant results were also found in four out of eight subscales of MAIA: emotional awareness (β= 1.26, p < 0.001), self-regulation (β= 1.28, p < 0.001), body listening (β= 1.08, p < 0.001) and trusting (β= 1.1, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our intervention has demonstrated to bring beneficial effects in a mindfulness subdomain, in perceived stress, self-compassion, interoception and psychological wellbeing. Based on our results, we conclude that our intervention was effective in increasing the positive aspects of wellbeing and in reducing stress.

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MTEP, a Selective mGluR5 Antagonist, Had a Neuroprotective Effect but Did Not Prevent the Development of Spontaneous Recurrent Seizures and Behavioral Comorbidities in the Rat Lithium–Pilocarpine Model of Epilepsy

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms23010497 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 497

Author(s):

Alexandra V. Dyomina ◽

Anna A. Kovalenko ◽

Maria V. Zakharova ◽

Tatiana Yu. Postnikova ◽

Alexandra V. Griflyuk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors ◽

Excitatory Amino Acid ◽

Neuroprotective Effect ◽

Neuronal Loss ◽

Brain Diseases ◽

Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter ◽

Wide Range ◽

Pilocarpine Model ◽

Mglur5 Antagonist ◽

Behavioral Impairments

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are expressed predominantly on neurons and glial cells and are involved in the modulation of a wide range of signal transduction cascades. Therefore, different subtypes of mGluRs are considered a promising target for the treatment of various brain diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated the seizure-induced upregulation of mGluR5; however, its functional significance is still unclear. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the effect of treatment with the selective mGluR5 antagonist 3-[(2-methyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)ethynyl]-pyridine (MTEP) on epileptogenesis and behavioral impairments in rats using the lithium–pilocarpine model. We found that the administration of MTEP during the latent phase of the model did not improve survival, prevent the development of epilepsy, or attenuate its manifestations in rats. However, MTEP treatment completely prevented neuronal loss and partially attenuated astrogliosis in the hippocampus. An increase in excitatory amino acid transporter 2 expression, which has been detected in treated rats, may prevent excitotoxicity and be a potential mechanism of neuroprotection. We also found that MTEP administration did not prevent the behavioral comorbidities such as depressive-like behavior, motor hyperactivity, reduction of exploratory behavior, and cognitive impairments typical in the lithium–pilocarpine model. Thus, despite the distinct neuroprotective effect, the MTEP treatment was ineffective in preventing epilepsy.

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