Does vitamin C have the ability to augment the therapeutic effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on spinal cord injury？

Methylprednisolone（MP） is currently the only drug confirmed to exhibit a neuroprotective effect on acute spinal cord injury（SCI）. Vitamin C（VC） is a natural water-soluble antioxidant that exerts neuroprotective effects through eliminating free radical damage to nerve cells. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells（BMMSCs）, as multipotent stem cells, are promising candidates in SCI repair. To evaluate the therapeutic effects of MP, VC and BMMSCs on traumatic SCI, 80 adult male rats were randomly divided into seven groups： control, SCI（SCI induction by weight-drop method）, MP（SCI induction, followed by administration of 30 mg/kg MP via the tail vein, once every other 6 hours, for five times）, VC（SCI induction, followed by intraperitoneal administration of 100 mg/kg VC once a day, for 28 days）, MP ＋ VC（SCI induction, followed by administration of MP and VC as the former）, BMMSCs（SCI induction, followed by injection of 3 × 10~6 BMMSCs at the injury site）, and BMMSCs ＋ VC（SCI induction, followed by BMMSCs injection and VC administration as the former）. Locomotor recovery was assessed using the Basso Mouse Scale. Injured spinal cord tissue was evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining. Expression of transforming growth factor-beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 genes was determined using real-time quantitative PCR. BMMSCs intervention better promoted recovery of nerve function of rats with SCI, mitigated nerve cell damage, and decreased expression of transforming growth factor-beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 genes than MP and/or VC. More importantly, BMMSCs in combination with VC induced more obvious improvements. These results suggest that VC can enhance the neuroprotective effects of BMMSCs against SCI.

Type 2 diabetes and thyroid cancer:Synergized risk with rising air pollution

Diabetes is a complex condition,and the causes are still not fully understood.However,a growing body of evidence suggests that exposure to air pollution could be linked to an increased risk of diabetes.Specifically,exposure to certain pollutants,such as particulate Matter and Ozone,has been associated with higher rates of diabetes.At the same time,air pollution has also been linked to an increased risk of thyroid cancer.While there is less evidence linking air pollution to thyroid cancer than to diabetes,it is clear that air pollution could have severe implications for thyroid health.Air pollution could increase the risk of diabetes and thyroid cancer through several mechanisms.For example,air pollution could increase inflammation in the body,which is linked to an increased risk of diabetes and thyroid cancer.Air pollution could also increase oxidative stress,which is linked to an increased risk of diabetes and thyroid cancer.Additionally,air pollution could increase the risk of diabetes and thyroid cancer by affecting the endocrine system.This review explores the link between diabetes and air pollution on thyroid cancer.We will discuss the evidence for an association between air pollution exposure and diabetes and thyroid cancer,as well as the potential implications of air pollution for thyroid health.Given the connections between diabetes,air pollution,and thyroid cancer,it is essential to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of developing the condition.

The Effect of Metformin versus Vitamin E on the Testis of Adult Diabetic Albino Rats: Histological, Biochemical and Immunohistochemistry Study

Background: Impairment of testicular function is one of complications of Diabetes mellitus (D.M) and this may result from increased oxidative stress. Vitamin E (Vit E) has antioxidant properties. Objective: To determine the microscopic changes in the diabetic testis with metformin alone or with Vit E and which of them are better to preserve the testicular structure. Materials and Methods: Fifty adult albino rats, were equally divided into five groups: Group 1: control group;group 2: diabetic group (diabetes was induced by (65 mg/kg;i.p) single dose of streptozotocin (STZ);group 3: vit.E-treated diabetic group (200 mg/kg/day) ip;group 4: Metformin-treated diabetic group (100 mg/kg/day) and group 5 Metformin and vit.E-treated diabetic group for eight weeks. Levels of testosterone, insulin and blood sugar were analyzed and testes specimens were prepared for light microscope and immunohistochemical detection of androgen receptor (AR) and caspase-3. Results: In diabetic group showed irregular seminiferous tubules with depletion, separation, vacuolation of the spermatogenic cells with perivascular and intertubular fibrosis also, the mean diameter of tubules significantly decreases. There are negative immunoexpressions of AR with positive caspase-3. Sections of metformin treated diabetic group showed incomplete or partial regeneration of germ cells while in group 4 and 5 showed almost complete regeneration of spermatogenic cells with increase in mean diameter of tubules, significantly increases in AR and decreases in caspase-3 expression. Conclusion: D.M produce damage in the testicular tissue and the concomitant administration of vit-E with metformin was shown better effect than metformin alone.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 gene mutation and progesterone receptor messenger RNA expression in the pathogenesis of sporadic orbitocranial meningioma

AIM: To investigate neurofibromatosis type 2(NF2) gene mutation at mRNA levels in sporadic orbitocranial meningioma and its association with progesterone receptor(PR) mR NA expression.METHODS: This was a case-control study. Thirty-four sporadic meningioma patients with no familial NF2-related meningioma history were recruited. They were interviewed for their obstetric, gynecologic, and contraception history. PR investigation was performed with real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR). NF2 mutation was investigated using Qbiomarker Somatic Mutation PCR Assay at NF2 mRNA level after its cDNA extraction(four mRNA mutation cytoband coordinates for nucleotide change: c.634 C>T/p.Q212, c.655 G>A/p.V219 M, c.784 C>T/p.R262 and c.1228 C>T/p. Q410). RESULTS: After mutation analysis at mRNA level, NF2 gene mutation was found in 35.29% patients. Non-mutation group was strongly associated with exogenous hormonal exposure(non-mutation vs mutation: 95.5% vs 83.3%, P<0.001). PR mR NA was found significantly lower in nonmutation group(P=0.033) which presumed as long term exogenous progesterone exposure. However, mutation group was associated with higher rate of progression to gradeⅡ(mutation vs non-mutation, 18.2% vs 5%, P<0.001) and was associated more in fibrous and anaplastic tumor tissue.CONCLUSION: NF2 mutation-meningioma is associated with higher grade of meningioma. Non NF2 mutationmeningioma is strongly associated with exogenous progesterone exposure and lower PR expression.

Curcumin alters motor coordination but not total number of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum of adolescent male Wistar rats

OBJECTIVE： The present study aimed at coordination and the estimate of the total investigating the effects of curcumin on the motor number of cerebellar Purkinje cells of adolescent Wistar rats exposed to ethanol. METHODS： The total of 21 male Wistar rats aged 37 d old were divided into three groups, namely ethanol, ethanol-curcumin, and control groups. The ethanol group received 1.5 g/kg ethanol injected intraperitoneally and water given per oral; the ethanol-curcumin group received 1.5 g/kg ethanol injected intraperitoneally and curcumin extract given per oral; the control group received saline injection and oral water. The treatment was carried out daily for one month, after which the motor coordination performance of the rats was examined using revolving drum apparatus at test days 1, 8, and 15. The rats were finally sacrificed and the cerebellum of the rats was further processed for stereological analysis. The estimate of the total number of Purkinje cells was calculated using physical fractionator method. RESULTS： The ethanol-curcumin group performed better than both ethanol and control groups in the motor coordination ability at day 8 of testing （P〈 0.01）. No Purkinje cell loss was observed as a result of one month intraperitoneal injection of ethanol. CONCLUSION： Curcumin may exert beneficial effects on the motor coordination of adolescent rats exposed to ethanol via undetermined hormetic mechanisms.

Dysprosium oxide,alumina,and graphene oxide reinforced polycaprolactone thin films:Thermal stability,morphology,and cell viability

Developing a biomaterial for wound healing applications is still a challenge.Herein,dysprosium oxide(Dy_(2)O_(3)),aluminum oxide(Al_(2)O_(3)),and graphene oxide(GO)were embedded in cast films based on polycaprolactone(PCL)to be examined for wound dressing usage.Different techniques were used to characterize the fabricated films including X-ray diffraction(XRD),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),Raman,and scanning electron microscopy(SEM),besides their biological activity.The thermogravimetric analysis(TGA)exhibits high thermal stability as the scaffold weight decreases slightly to 98.6%after raising the temperature from room temperature to 280℃.The cell viability was investigated and it is shown that the viable cells grow up to approximately 93%at 75μg/mL.Meanwhile,the cell attachment shows excellent behavior as the cells attach on most of the surface of the modified PCL which shows high biocompatibility.

The Potential of Circular RNAs as Biomarkers in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Related to Congenital Heart Disease

A particular type of endogenous noncoding RNAs known as circular RNAs(circRNAs)has now become possible biomarkers for several diseases because of their stability and tissue-specific expression patterns.CircRNAs might play a role in various of biological processes.The identification of particular circRNAs dysregulated in pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)raises the possibility of these molecules serving as biomarkers for the disease’s early diagnosis and treatment.This review mainly summarizes the role and potential of circRNA as a future biomarker in PAH related to congenital heart disease.This study presented several potential circRNA targets as diagnostic biomarkers for PAH,discussed their biological functions,and addressed the challenges that need to be considered for their application in clinical settings.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in pediatric COVID-19 patients:a meta-analysis

Background We aimed to systematically review the clinical and laboratory features of patients with the multisystem inflam-matory syndrome in pediatrics diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic.Data sources A literature search in Web of Science,PubMed,Scopus,and Science Direct was made up to June 29,2020.Results Analysis of 15 articles(318 COVID-19 patients)revealed that although many patients presented with the typical multisystem inflammatory syndrome in pediatrics,Kawasaki-like features as fever(82.4%),polymorphous maculopapular exanthema(63.7%),oral mucosal changes(58.1%),conjunctival injections(56.0%),edematous extremities(40.7%),and cervical lymphadenopathy(28.5%),atypical gastrointestinal(79.4%)and neurocognitive symptoms(31.8%)were also com-mon.They had elevated serum lactic acid dehydrogenase,D-dimer,C-reactive protein,procalcitonin,interleukin-6,troponin I levels,and lymphopenia.Nearly 77.0%developed hypotension,and 68.1%went into shock,while 41.1%had acute kidney injury.Intensive care was needed in 73.7%of cases;13.2%were intubated,and 37.9%required mechanical ventilation.Intravenous immunoglobulins and steroids were given in 87.7%and 56.9%of the patients,respectively,and anticoagulants were utilized in 67.0%.Pediatric patients were discharged after a hospital stay of 6.77 days on average(95%CI 4.93-8.6).Conclusions Recognizing the typical and atypical presentation of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in pediatric COVID-19 patients has important implications in identifying children at risk.Monitoring cardiac and renal decompensation and early interventions in patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome is critical to prevent further morbidity.