Silencing myelin protein zero-like 1 expression suppresses cell proliferation and invasiveness of human glioma cells by inhibiting multiple cancer-associated signal pathways

Glioma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the adult central nervous system. It has high morbidity and poor survival. Myelin protein zero-like protein 1 (MPZL1) is a cell surface glycoprotein that activates numerous adhesion-dependent signaling pathways. MPZL1 plays important roles in human cancers that include metastatic process; however, it is not clear if MPZL1 plays a role in human glioma. Therefore, this study aimed to determine if silencing MPZL1 impacted the cell proliferative features of human glioma cells. First, MPZL1 expression was investigated in human glioma samples and tumor cell lines. Then the effects of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-targeting MPZL1 were analyzed on proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle progression, and invasion of human glioma cells. The results from this study demonstrated that MPZL1 was highly expressed in human glioma tissues and glioma cell lines. In addition, knockdown of MPZL1 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasiveness of glioma cells, and effectively induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. Western blotting analysis indicated that silencing MPZL1 expression downregulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), WNT1, caspase-3, cyclin A1, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and upregulated p53. The results from this study suggest that MPZL1 might be a marker for tumors and could be a potential therapeutic target for human glioma.

Clinical diagnosis guidelines and neurorestorative treatment for chronic disorders of consciousness (2021 China version)

Chronic disorders of consciousness (DOC) include the vegetative state and the minimally consciousness state. The DOC diagnosis mainly relies on the evaluation of clinical behavioral scales, electrophysiological testing, and neuroimaging examinations. No specifically effective neurorestorative methods for chronic DOC currently exist. Any valuable exploration therapies of being able to repair functions and/or structures in the consciousness loop (e.g., drugs, hyperbaric medicines, noninvasive neurostimulation, sensory and environmental stimulation, invasive neuromodulation therapy, and cell transplantation) may become effective neurorestorative strategies for chronic DOC. In the viewpoint of Neurorestoratology, this guideline proposes the diagnostic and neurorestorative therapeutic suggestions and future exploration direction for this disease following the review of the existing treatment exploration achievements for chronic DOC.

Acupuncture treatment for spasticity after brain injury

Spasticity after brain injury is a neurological sequela caused by damage to upper motor neurons. The primary symptoms are involuntary muscle activity, decreased muscle strength, and joint contracture. Acupuncture as a therapeutic method to regulate central nervous system function has been studied widely in recent years. Many clinical experiments have proved that acupuncture has positive effects on spasticity after brain injury. In this review, we discuss recent research of acupuncture treatment and the need for large randomized controlled trials.

A pilot study of clinical cell therapy for patients with vascular dementia

Background:Vascular dementia (VD) is a series of clinical and neurophysiological manifestations caused by cerebrovascular disease. As the human lifespan increases, the number of people affected by age-related dementia is growing at an alarming pace, but no proved therapeutic methods can stop it from getting worse.Objective:To investigate the neurorestorative effects of injecting olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), Schwann cells (SCs), and olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) into olfactory sub-mucosa in VD patients.Methods:A pilot study of double-blind randomized controlled cell therapies was conducted in VD patients (n = 5). Cells were injected into the patients’ olfactory sub-mucosa. Two patients received OEC treatment, one received SC treatment, one ORN treatment, and one OEC combined with ORN. Mental state and cognitive function were observed before treatment and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) was performed before treatment and 12 months after treatment.Results:The directional function score on the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) in the patient who received SC treatment had increased slightly 1 and 3 months after treatment. The scores for orientation, attention, delayed verbal recall, and repetition increased in the ORN group patient 1 month after treatment. The orientation and repetition scores of the ORN group patient continued to increase 3 months after treatment. The scores for attention, delayed verbal recall, and phase 3 command decreased in the OEC and the OEC + ORN group patients after treatment assessment Scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale also improved in the ORN group patient. Clinical and MRI or CT examinations did not find any side effects from the cell therapy or transplanting procedure.Conclusion:All of the cell transplantations were found to be safe. ORN was shown to be a promising therapy for VD patients. Phase II clinical trials of ORN, SC, and OEC therapy are required to verify their effects on VD symptoms, especially ORNs.

The inorganic chemicals that surround us: role of tellurium, selenium and zinc on behavioural functions in mammals

Living organisms live in continuous interaction with its environment. During this process changes in one can induce adaptive responses on the other. Many factors in the environment have been studied with the notorious distinction of been rare or to be of high intensity strength in its interaction with living organisms. However, little attention has been put on some factors that have constant interaction with organisms but usually have low intensity strength, such as the case of the inorganic chemical environment that surrounds us. In this review, the interaction between the chemical element and living organisms is discussed under a theoretical model of interaction between compartments, giving attention to tellurium (Te), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) on some cognitive functions in human and animals. After studies in our laboratory of the phenotypic expression of the HSR (Hand Skill Relative) gene in school children community living in geographic zone rich in minerals and mines of La Rioja province, Argentine, where Te was found to be in higher non-toxic concentrations, a translational experimental model to maturing rats exposed to this trace element was made. Te was found to increase some parameters related to locomotion in an open field induced by novelty and exploratory motivation. At the same time, inhibition of lateralized responses, survival responses and social activity was also observed. Some of these changes, particularly those related to lateralization had similarity with that found previously in children of La Rioja province. Discussion of similarities and discrepancies of biologic effects between animals and humans, about the possible meaning of Te and its interaction with Zn and Se with relevance to humans was analyzed.

Olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation for chronic spinal cord injury: A long-term follow-up study

Spinal cord injury is a serious disabling condition. Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) is one of the most promising treatments for spinal cord injury (SCI). Thirty-nine patients with chronic SCI received OEC transplantation and completed long-term follow-up, with a minimum follow-up of 7 years. We assessed sensorimotor function with the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) and autonomic nervous function by the International Standards to document remaining Autonomic Function after Spinal Cord Injury (ISAFSCI), and sympathetic skin responses (SSR). The scores of each group were significantly higher after OECs transplantation than before treatment. SSR latencies were shorter and response amplitudes increased after treatment. Long-term follow-up showed further improvement only in motor function and autonomic function compared with 3 months postoperatively. No complications occurred in any patient during long-term follow-up. The results indicate that the transplantation of OECs in spinal cord restored function without serious side effects.

Research progress on the therapeutic effect of olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation on ischemic stroke

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are a special type of glial cell in the olfactory system, which exhibit neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, and angiogenic effects. Although many studies have focused on the reversal of demyelination and axonal degeneration (during spinal cord injury) by OECs, few reports have focused on the ability of OECs to repair ischemic nerve injury. This article reviews the protective effects of OEC transplantation in ischemic stroke and provides a theoretical basis and new strategy for OEC transplantation in the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Cognitive performance in high school students after short treatment of zazen meditation technic

Zazen is one of several meditation technics that pretends to reach calmness, reducing interference, and controlling awareness practiced by many people in the world. Zazen practitioners claim that a natural sense of wellbeing, spontaneous joy and self-fulfilling is achieved with its practice. Neuroscientific evidence shows that important modifications in the neuronal electric activity with compromise of several brain structures has been observed, especially those that are involved in modulation of attention. Our laboratory was interested to study the possible behavioural effects of a short time zazen practice to a group of secondary students of public or private high schools, with no previous training in any meditation technics. Two groups, 15-17 years old coursing the 4th or 5th year of their secondary study, one receiving zazen training (n = 31), and the other one recreation activities (n = 45) were selected. All subjects were tested with the Tower of London, Tower of Hanoi, Wisconsin Card Sorting and Stroop test to evaluate the cognitive abilities, at the beginning of the experiment (t0) and at the end of the experiment (t1, about 3 months later). Results showed that in the Tower of London and Tower of Hanoi, zazen group displayed significant less movements to solve the task, compared to Control. No differences were found between both groups in solving the Wisconsin Card Sorting test, but in the Stroop test zazen group was superior to Control in making significant less mistakes during solving the task. Results are compatible with a positive effect of zazen training in behavioural abilities of attention and planning strategies in secondary students.

Endovascular thrombectomy for the treatment of ischemic stroke: An updated meta-analysis for a randomized controlled trial

Objective:To evaluate whether endovascular thrombectomy combined with intravenous thrombolysis is superior to the standard treatment of intravenous thrombolysis for the treatment of ischemic stroke.Methods:A meta-analysis of 12 studies obtained by searching PubMed and Web of Science database was performed to determine whether the difference in mortality (within 7 days or 90 days), functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale, 0-2), hemorrhage (symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage), and recurrent ischemic stroke rate at 90 days between patients who underwent mechanical intravenous thrombolysis with (intervention) and without (control) endovascular thrombectomy.Results:As compared with the control group, patients in the intervention group had lower 90-day mortality [summary risk ratio (RR) = 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.69-0.99; n = 1309/1070], higher recanalization rate (RR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.97-2.56; n = 504/497), better functional outcome (modified Rankin score: 0-2; RR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.29-1.54; n = 1702/1502), and higher rate of subarachnoid hemorrhage (RR = 2.40, 95% CI: 1.45-3.99; n = 1046/875) without significant difference in the 7-day mortality (RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.84-1.50; n = 951/773), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.82-1.54; n = 1707/1507), or recurrent ischemic stroke (RR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.52-1.54; n = 718/506).Conclusion:Our results demonstrated that patients in the intervention group had lower mortality and better functional outcomes than the control group. Although patients in the intervention group had a higher rate of subarachnoid hemorrhage; hence, endovascular thrombectomy combined with intravenous thrombolysis is still a beneficial intervention for a defined population of stroke patients.