Responses In Central Nervous System Research Articles

Neurotoxicity and management of primary and secondary central nervous system lymphoma after adoptive immunotherapy with CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cells.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells targeting CD19 have been established as a leading engineered T-cell therapy for B-cell lymphomas; however, data for patients with central nervous system (CNS) involvement are limited. We retrospectively report on CNS-specific toxicities, management, and CNS response of 45 consecutive CAR T-cell transfusions for patients with active CNS lymphoma at the Massachusetts General Hospital over a 5-year period. Our cohort includes 17 patients with primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL; 1 patient with 2 CAR T-cell transfusions) and 27 patients with secondary CNS lymphoma (SCNSL). Mild ICANS (grade 1-2) was observed after 19/45 transfusions (42.2%) and severe immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) (grade 3-4) after 7/45 transfusions (15.6%). A larger increase in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and higher rates of ICANS were detected in SCNSL. Early fever and baseline C-reactive protein levels were associated with ICANS occurrence. CNS response was seen in 31 cases (68.9%), including a complete response of CNS disease in 18 cases (40.0%) which lasted for a median of 11.4 ± 4.5 months. Dexamethasone dose at time of lymphodepletion (but not at or after CAR T-cell transfusion) was associated with an increased risk for CNS progression (hazard ratios [HR] per mg/d: 1.16, P = .031). If bridging therapy was warranted, the use of ibrutinib translated into favorable CNS-progression-free survival (5 vs. 1 month, HR 0.28, CI 0.1-0.7; P = .010). CAR T-cells exhibit promising antitumor effects and a favorable safety profile in CNS lymphoma. Further evaluation of the role of bridging regimens and corticosteroids is warranted.

Physiology of sedentary behavior.

Sedentary behaviors (SB) are characterized by low energy expenditure while in a sitting or reclining posture. Evidence relevant to understanding the physiology of SB can be derived from studies employing several experimental models: bed rest, immobilization, reduced step count, and reducing/interrupting prolonged SB. We examine the relevant physiological evidence relating to body weight and energy balance, intermediary metabolism, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, the musculoskeletal system, the central nervous system, and immunity and inflammatory responses. Excessive and prolonged SB can lead to insulin resistance, vascular dysfunction, shift in substrate use toward carbohydrate oxidation, shift in muscle fiber from oxidative to glycolytic type, reduced cardiorespiratory fitness, loss of muscle mass and strength and bone mass, and increased total body fat mass and visceral fat depot, blood lipid concentrations, and inflammation. Despite marked differences across individual studies, longer term interventions aimed at reducing/interrupting SB have resulted in small, albeit marginally clinically meaningful, benefits on body weight, waist circumference, percent body fat, fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c and HDL concentrations, systolic blood pressure, and vascular function in adults and older adults. There is more limited evidence for other health-related outcomes and physiological systems and for children and adolescents. Future research should focus on the investigation of molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning adaptations to increasing and reducing/interrupting SB and the necessary changes in SB and physical activity to impact physiological systems and overall health in diverse population groups.

Granzyme B + CD8 + T cells with terminal differentiated effector signature determine multiple sclerosis progression

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) leads to demyelination and neurodegeneration with autoimmune responses in central nervous system. Patients begin with a relapsing–remitting (RR) course, and more than 80% of them may advance to secondary progressive MS (SPMS), which is characteristic for the gradual decline of neurological functions without demonstrated treating method to prevent. This study aims to investigate the contribution of peripheral CD8 + T cells during the conversion from RRMS to SPMS, as well as reveal potential diagnostic signature in distinguishing SPMS.MethodsSingle-cell RNA sequencing was employed to reveal the heterogeneity of CD8 + T cells between SPMS and RRMS. In addition, flow cytometry was used to further characterized CD8 + T cell dynamic changes in patients. T cell receptor sequencing was performed to detect the clonal expansion of MS. Using Tbx21 siRNA, T-bet was confirmed to manipulate GzmB expression. The correlation between GzmB + CD8 + T cell subsets and clinical characteristics of MS and their potential diagnostic value for SPMS were evaluated by generalized linear regression models and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve respectively.ResultsOther than diminished naïve CD8 + T cell, elevating of activated CD8 + T cell subsets were observed in SPMS patients. Meanwhile, this aberrant amplified peripheral CD8 + T cells not only exhibited terminal differentiated effector (EMRA) phenotype with GzmB expression, but also possessed distinct trajectory from clonal expansion. In addition, T-bet acted as a key transcriptional factor that elicited GzmB expression in CD8 + TEMRA cells of patients with SPMS. Finally, the expression of GzmB in CD8 + T cells was positively correlated with disability and progression of MS, and could effectively distinguish SPMS from RRMS with a high accuracy.ConclusionsOur study mapped peripheral immune cells of RRMS and SPMS patients and provided an evidence for the involvement of GzmB + CD8 + TEMRA cells in the progression of MS, which could be used as a diagnostic biomarker for distinguishing SPMS from RRMS.

Radiotherapy combined with pyrotinib plus capecitabine in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer and brain metastases: A single-arm, exploratory trial.

e13024 Background: Previous researches indicated the enhanced radiosensitivity in HER2-positive cancer cells by pyrotinib. For patients with treatment-naive brain metastases and central nervous system (CNS) symptoms, whether radiotherapy (current mainstay treatment) combined with pyrotinib-based systemic regimen is more beneficial remains unclear. This study explored radiotherapy combined with pyrotinib plus capecitabine in this population. Methods: In this exploratory trial (NCT04767828), patients aged 18-75 years who had HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and untreated symptomatic brain metastases with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2 were included. Patients with meningeal metastases or without measurable CNS lesions were excluded. Eligible patients received whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) or stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT). The irradiation sites, total radiation dose, and fractions were decided by investigator based on the number of CNS lesions and size. Pyrotinib (400 mg, once a day) and capecitabine (1000 mg/m2, twice a day, on days 1-14 of each 21-day cycle) were given since the start of radiotherapy until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. The primary endpoint was CNS progression-free survival (PFS), assessed by Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Brain Metastases (RANO-BM). Extracranial lesions were assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1. Results: Between May 5, 2020 and November 25, 2022, a total of 19 patients were enrolled. Thirteen (68%) patients had other visceral metastases, and 18 (95%) had prior trastuzumab treatment (5 for early breast cancer, 12 for advanced breast cancer, and 1 for both). Fifteen (79%) patients received WBRT and 4 (21%) received SRT. By the data cutoff date on January 16, 2023, the median follow-up duration was 15.0 months (range, 1.7-24.8). Median CNS PFS was 10.0 months (95% CI, 5.3-14.7). CNS objective response rate was 100%, including two (11%) patients with CNS complete response. Median overall PFS was 8.5 months (95% CI, 4.8-12.2). Median overall survival was 19.0 months (95% CI, 13.1-24.9). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were vomiting (16%) and nausea (11%). For 11 patients with available results of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), 10 (91%) had normal cognitive function during study period or recovered to normal level within 6 months after radiotherapy. Conclusions: Radiotherapy combined with pyrotinib plus capecitabine shows favorable CNS response and promising survival outcomes in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and untreated symptomatic brain metastases, with an acceptable safety profile. This combination strategy warrants further validation in large samples. Clinical trial information: NCT04767828 .

Efficacy and safety of dose-escalated alectinib in patients with metastatic ALK-positive NSCLC and CNS relapse on standard dose alectinib.

e21079 Background: Central nervous system (CNS) metastases represent a common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients (pts) with ALK-positive (ALK+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with limited therapeutic options. We previously reported re-induction of CNS responses using dose intensification of alectinib in two pts with metastatic ALK+ NSCLC who had experienced CNS progression on standard dose alectinib. However, this strategy has not been assessed in larger cohorts. Methods: In this retrospective study, pts were eligible if they had advanced ALK+ NSCLC with CNS relapse on standard dose alectinib (600 mg twice daily) and subsequently received dose-escalated alectinib (900 mg twice daily). Medical records and radiographic imaging were reviewed to determine treatment outcomes. CNS efficacy was assessed per the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. Treatment-related adverse events (trAEs) were graded per the CTCAE version 5.0. Results: 27 pts were eligible [male, 67%; median age at diagnosis, 53 (range, 31-69)]. Pts had previously received median 3 lines of systemic therapy (range, 1-12) and median 2 ALK TKIs (range, 1-4); all had received standard dose alectinib with CNS progression. 19 pts (70%) had received prior CNS-directed radiotherapy (RT) [median time from most recent RT to dose-escalated alectinib, 13.9 months (mos) (range, 0.2-52.3)]. The median duration of dose-escalated alectinib therapy in this cohort was 7.7 mos (95% CI, 4.8-10.9), with median overall progression-free survival (PFS) of 7.8 mos (95% CI, 4.9-13.7). Among 25 response-evaluable pts with baseline measurable or non-measurable CNS metastases, the CNS objective response rate (ORR) was 8.0% (95% CI, 1.0-26.0), with 2 pts having intracranial complete responses. CNS disease control rate (DCR) was 92.0% (95% CI, 74.0-99.0), with median CNS duration of response (DoR) of 5.3 mos (95% CI, 3.4-8.3) and median CNS PFS of 7.1 mos (95% CI, 4.4-13.7). Of 3 patients with baseline measurable CNS disease, all 3 had best intracranial response of SD, and median CNS PFS was 6.7 mos (95% CI, 6.2-not reached). Dose-escalated alectinib was well tolerated with no drug discontinuation due to trAE and no grade 3 or higher trAEs. One pt required dose reduction to 750 mg twice daily due to intolerable grade 2 fatigue. 23 pts (85%) experienced grade 1-2 trAEs. Grade 1-2 trAEs that occurred in 10% of pts were anemia (52%), fatigue (37%), constipation (26%), bilirubin increase (15%), alkaline phosphatase increase (15%), and peripheral neuropathy (11%). Conclusions: Dose intensification of alectinib demonstrated meaningful efficacy and tolerability in pts with metastatic ALK+ NSCLC who had experienced CNS disease relapse on standard dose alectinib, and may represent a viable therapeutic option for re-establishing CNS disease control.

Acute Low Dose Naltrexone Increases β-Endorphin and Promotes Neuronal Recovery Following Hypoxia-Ischemic Stroke in Type-2 Diabetic Mice.

Diabetic patients experience significant mortality and poor recovery following ischemic stroke. Our clinical and basic science studies demonstrate an overall immune suppression in the periphery of diabetic stroke patients, as well as within the central nervous system (CNS) of type-2 diabetic mice following hypoxia-ischemia (HI). Low doses of naltrexone (LDN) improved clinical outcomes in many autoimmune diseases by acting on opioid receptors to release β-endorphin which in turn balances inflammatory cytokines and modulates the opioid growth factor (OGF)-opioid growth factor receptor (OGFr) pathway. We hypothesized that in our model of diabetic mice, LDN treatment will induce the release of β-endorphin and improve CNS response by promoting neuronal recovery post HI. To test this hypothesis, we induced HI in 10week old male db/db and db/ + mice, collected tissue at 24 and 72h post HI, and measured OGF levels in plasma and brain tissue. The infarct size and number of OGF + neurons in the motor cortex, caudate and hippocampus (CA3) were measured. Following HI, db/db mice had significant increases in brain OGF expression, increased infarct size and neurological deficits, and loss of OGFr + neurons in several different brain regions. In the second experiment, we injected LDN (1mg/kg) intraperitoneally into db/db and db/ + mice at 4, 24, and 48h post HI, and collected brain tissue and blood at 72h. Acute LDN treatment increased β-endorphin and OGF levels in plasma and promoted neuronal recovery in db/db mice compared to phosphate buffer saline (PBS)-treated diabetic mice suggesting a protective or regenerative effect of LDN.

Recording central nervous system responses of freely-swimming marine and freshwater fishes with a customizable, implantable AC differential amplifier

BackgroundFish have adapted to a diversity of environments but the neural mechanisms underlying natural aquatic behaviors are not well known. New methodWe have developed a small, customizable AC differential amplifier and surgical procedures for recording multi-unit extracellular signals in the CNS of marine and freshwater fishes. ResultsOur minimally invasive amplifier allowed fish to orient to flow and respond to hydrodynamic and visual stimuli. We recorded activity in the cerebellum and optic tectum during these behaviors. Comparison with existing methodsOur system is very low-cost, hydrodynamically streamlined, and capable of high-gain in order to allow for recordings from freely behaving, fast fishes in complex fluid environments. ConclusionsOur tethered approach allows access to record neural activity in a diversity of adult fishes in the lab, but can also be modified for data logging in the field.

Central nervous system reactivation of herpesviridae family in patients with COVID-19.

The objective of this study is to describe our COVID-19 patients with herpesviridae reactivation in the central nervous system (CNS). Four patients were described including two with acute encephalitis and two with acute encephalomyelitis. Three of four patients had abnormal findings on neuroimaging studies. One of four patients died, one survived with major neurological sequelae, and two others fully recovered. Herpesviridae reactivation in the CNS in patients with COVID-19 is a rare but serious coincidence. The optimal therapeutic management has not been investigated and until more information is available, it is prudent to treat these patients with appropriate antivirals with or without anti-inflammatory agents.

The gender-specific reactions of student's central nervous system to physical loads

Purpose: to study the response of the central nervous system and the characteristics of neurophysiological processes in students of both genders during physical load.
 Material & Methods: in the study participated 58 female and 82 male students. All participants were classified as individuals with high level of physical activity according to survey data. The general health of students and their demand to participate in this study were determined by interview and examination. The reaction of the central nervous system was studied using a reflexometer according to the method proposed by T. Loskutova. The method is based on the analysis of the statistical distribution of multiple measurements of the simple visual-motor reaction time and represents a quantitative characteristic of the functional state of the central nervous system. Reflexometry was carried out at a relative resting state and at the 5th minute of recovery period after a physical load in the bicycle test, carried out according to the method proposed by D. Davidenko et al. The analysis of the obtained data was performed using Microsoft Excel 2016 and SPSS 20.0 statistical package.
 Results: analysis of the obtained reflexometry data, which reflects the probabilistic and statistical principle of brain function, demonstrate insignificant fluctuations in the functional state of the brain in the majority of the examined students in a relative resting state, which were within the normal range. In accordance with the criteria for assessing the general functional state of the brain, a high and medium level of reaction stability is inherent in 76.8% male and in 84.2% female students. It should be noted that there were students who had indicators pointing to disturbances of the mechanisms of stabilization of nervous processes (3.4% female and 7.3% male students), a high degree of intensity of tonic nonspecific effects (10.3% female and 6.1% male students) and the inability to maintain an appropriate functional level (6.9% females and 9.8% males). A second assessment of the general functional state of the brain of students revealed that the average group values of indicators of the general functional state of the brain are within the age and gender norms. A certain tendency to an insignificant decrease in the stability of the reaction in both groups of subjects was noted (p=0.918 – in male students, p=0.537 – in female students), which indicates the stationary nature of the system. The stability of the functional level of the system (p=0.821) and the level of functional abilities (p=0.748) was maintained in the group of examined students. Indicators of the functional level of the system (p=0.411) and the functional abilities (p=0.467) decreased in the group of female students, indicating a deterioration in the functional state of the nervous system influenced by the dosed physical load. High and medium levels of reaction stability are characteristic of 72.4% female and 75.8% male students. It should be noted that the number of female students with pathologically low levels of reaction stability increased to 8.6%, and, conversely, the number of males with a similar level decreased to 3.7%.
 Conclusions: changes in the functional state of the brain by the majority of criteria be assessed as an activation response that allows fluctuations within 25%. This reaction is characteristic of 51% of female and 63% of male students. Deviations in the range of ±25–50% are considered stress reactions and were noted in 31% and 24% of the females and males examined, respectively. Cases of overstrain with possible disruption of adaptation were recorded in 19% of female students and 12% of male students. By the majority of criteria of functional capabilities of the CNS and its reactions to dosed physical activity, the gender predominance of males was established, characterized by slightly higher stability (p=0.574), the level of CNS activation (p=0.294) and greater ability to form an adequate system of adaptation (p=0.451) to educational loads and significantly higher absolute and relative physical performance.

Brain exposure of osimertinib in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation non-small cell lung cancer and brain metastases: A positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging study.

Brain metastases (BMs) are associated with poor prognosis in epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Osimertinib is a third-generation, irreversible, EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor that potently and selectively inhibits EGFR-sensitizing and T790M resistance mutations with efficacy in EGFRm NSCLC including central nervous system (CNS) metastases. The open-label phase I positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study (ODIN-BM) assessed [11 C]osimertinib brain exposure and distribution in patients with EGFRm NSCLC and BMs. Three dynamic 90-min [11 C]osimertinib PET examinations were acquired together with metabolite-corrected arterial plasma input functions at: baseline, after first oral osimertinib 80 mg dose, and after greater than or equal to 21 days of osimertinib 80 mg q.d. treatment. Contrast-enhanced MRI was performed at screening and after 25-35 days of osimertinib 80 mg q.d.; treatment effect was assessed per CNS Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 and per volumetric changes in total BM using a novel analysis approach. Four patients (aged 51-77 years) completed the study. At baseline, ~1.5% injected radioactivity reached the brain (IDmax[brain] ) 22 min (median, Tmax[brain] ) after injection. Total volume of distribution (VT ) in whole brain was numerically higher compared with the BM regions. After a single oral osimertinib 80 mg dose, there was no consistent decrease in VT in whole brain or BMs. After greater than or equal to 21 days' daily treatment, VT in whole brain and BMs were numerically higher versus baseline. MRI revealed 56%-95% reduction in total BMs volume after 25-35 days of osimertinib 80 mg q.d. treatment. The [11 C]osimertinib crossed the blood-brain and brain-tumor barriers and had a high, homogeneous brain distribution in patients with EGFRm NSCLC and BMs.

Age-associated deficits in social behaviour are microbiota-dependent

Aging is associated with remodelling of immune and central nervous system responses resulting in behavioural impairments including social deficits. Growing evidence suggests that the gut microbiome is also impacted by aging, and we propose that strategies to reshape the aged gut microbiome may ameliorate some age-related effects on host physiology. Thus, we assessed the impact of gut microbiota depletion, using an antibiotic cocktail, on aging and its impact on social behavior and the immune system.Indeed, microbiota depletion in aged mice eliminated the age-dependent deficits in social recognition. We further demonstrate that although age and gut microbiota depletion differently shape the peripheral immune response, aging induces an accumulation of T cells in the choroid plexus, that is partially blunted following microbiota depletion. Moreover, an untargeted metabolomic analysis revealed age-dependent alterations of cecal metabolites that are reshaped by gut microbiota depletion. Together, our results suggest that the aged gut microbiota can be specifically targeted to affect social deficits. These studies propel the need for future investigations of other non-antibiotic microbiota targeted interventions on age-related social deficits both in animal models and humans.

Early Childhood Caries and Sleep Disorders

Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (oSDB) comprises a set of breathing disturbances when the individual is asleep due to partial or complete upper airway obstruction. Modifying or risk factors are the anatomy, the size and shape of the airway, muscle tone, central nervous system responses to hypoxia, etc. In children, this is associated with poor school performance and reduced memory and learning abilities. In addition, increased levels of blood and lung pressure and cardiac alterations have been reported in children with sleep disturbances. On the other hand, Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is defined as the presence of one or more decayed primary teeth (cavities) of children under the age of 5. This study aimed to establish the possible relationship between sleep disorders and ECC by means of validated surveys and determined whether the results obtained coincide with the available literature. Our results found that up to 24.5% of children with a high risk of caries present regular nasal congestion, while this finding is only present among 6% of children with a low risk of caries (p = 0.041). The dmft index remains significantly linked to this occasional congestion, but the association depends on the patient's level of risk (p = 0.008); increasing with a high increasing risk of caries. As a conclusion, the risk of early childhood caries could correlate to a specific sleep change such as occasional snoring.

CNS Downstaging: An Emerging Treatment Paradigm for Extensive Brain Metastases in Oncogene-Addicted Lung Cancer

IntroductionFor extensive brain metastases (BrM) presentations arising from oncogene-addicted lung cancer, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with high response rates in the central nervous system (CNS) could potentially downstage the CNS disease burden, allowing for the avoidance of upfront whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and the conversion of some patients into candidates for focal stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). MethodsWe describe the outcomes of patients with ALK, EGFR, and ROS1-driven NSCLC with extensive BrM presentations (defined as > 10 BrMs or leptomeningeal disease) treated with upfront newer generation CNS-active TKIs alone, including osimertinib, alectinib, brigatinib, lorlatinib, and entrectinib, from 2012 to 2021 at our institution. All BrMs were contoured at study entry, best CNS response (nadir), and first CNS progression. ResultsTwelve patients met criteria including 6 with ALK, 3 with EGFR, and 3 with ROS1-driven NSCLC. The median number and volume of BrMs at presentation were 49 and 19.6 cm3, respectively. Eleven patients (91.7 %) achieved a CNS response by modified-RECIST criteria to upfront TKI (10 partial responses, 1 complete response, 1 stable disease) with nadir observed at a median of 5.1 months. At nadir, the median number and volume of BrMs were 5 (median 91.7 % reduction per-patient) and 0.3 cm3(median 96.5 % reduction per-patient), respectively. Eleven patients (91.6 %) developed subsequent CNS progression (7 local failures, 3 local + distant, 1 distant) at a median of 17.9 months. At CNS progression, the median number and volume of BrMs were 7 and 0.7 cm3, respectively. Seven patients (58.3 %) received salvage SRS and no patients received salvage WBRT. The median overall survival from initiation of TKI for the extensive BrM presentation was 43.2 months. ConclusionIn this initial case series, we describe CNS downstaging as a promising multidisciplinary treatment paradigm involving the upfront administration CNS-active systemic therapy and close MRI surveillance for extensive BrMs as a strategy to avoid upfront WBRT and to convert some patients into SRS candidates.

Eumelanin decorated poly(lactic acid) electrospun substrates as a new strategy for spinal cord injury treatment

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is characterized by neuroinflammatory processes that are marked by an uncontrolled activation of microglia, which directly damages neurons. Natural and synthetic melanins represent an effective tool to treat neuroinflammation because they possess immunomodulatory properties. Here, the main objective was to evaluate the effect of eumelanin-coated poly(lactic acid) (EU@PLA) aligned microfibers on in vitro model of neuroinflammation related to spinal cord injury in terms of inflammatory mediators' modulation. Aligned fibers were chosen to provide physical cues to guide axonal growth in a specific direction thus restoring the synaptic connection. Eumelanin decorated PLA electrospun substrates were produced combining electrospinning, spin coating and solid-state polymerization processes (oxidative coupling under oxygen atmosphere). Biological response in terms of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity was analyzed on an in vitro model of neuroinflammation [microglial cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)]. Cell morphology and EU@PLA mechanism of action, in terms of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) involvement were assessed. The results show that EU@PLA fibers were able to decrease reactive oxygen species, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-кB) expression >50 % compared to PLA + LPS and interleukin 6 (IL-6) secretion about 20 %. Finally, the mechanism of action of EU@PLA in microglia was found to be dependent on the TLR-4 signaling. Protein expression analysis revealed a decreased in TLR-4 production induced by LPS stimulation in presence of EU@PLA. Overall, our results show that EU@PLA represents an innovative and effective strategy for the control of inflammatory response in central nervous system.

Focus on host/organ unregulated response: a common cause of critical illness.

Focus on host/organ unregulated response: a common cause of critical illness.

Ultrapure and potent tannic acid (UPPTA) is a novel inhibitor of D-amino acid oxidase to improve the N-methyl-D-aspartate function of CNS disorders

Tannic acids (TAs), a group of polyphenols, have been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for millennia. Nevertheless, due to the complexity of TAs’ compositions, no studies have specifically focused on the relationship between the compositions and their biological activities. In this study, by applying HPLC-PDA-MS and NMR analyses of the compositions and a d-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) assay for biological activities, we discovered that the number of galloyl moieties was positively correlated with the inhibitory potency of DAAO. Furthermore, the ultrapure and potent tannic acid (UPPTA) that we prepared by removing impurities and low-galloyl-moiety TAs exhibited the strongest DAAO inhibitory potency compared with all the commercial TAs. The in vivo studies using MK-801 treated mice showed that the UPPTA improved the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-hypofunction-induced hyperactivity, working memory, and sensory motor gating deficits. In sum, the UPPTA demonstrated superior central nervous system (CNS) responses suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic candidate for treating CNS disorders through DAAO inhibition.

Investigation on property differences of ginseng and American ginseng by spatial metabolomics of neurochemicals with desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe properties are the body's response to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The essence of traditional Chinese medicine properties are cold, hot, warm, and cool. In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, ginseng is warm and American ginseng is cool, they present two opposite properties. The material basis of property differences and effect mechanism of property degree need further investigation. Aim of the studyThe aim of this work was to screen out the neurochemicals related to warm and cool properties of ginseng and American ginseng, and investigate the distributions of identified neurochemicals in rat brain and the metabolic mechanism. Materials and methodsSpatial metabolomics was applied to study the effects of ginseng and American ginseng on the distributions of neurochemicals in rat brain by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI). Based on discriminant coefficients in partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) processing, neurochemicals related to warm and cool properties were classified. In addition, the score contributions of the neurochemicals markers could be used to evaluate the warm and cool property degrees. ResultsA total of 25 neurochemicals were imaged and identified in brain section. The distribution regions of main neurochemicals were consistent with in sagittal and coronal sections of brain reported in literature. 17 neurochemicals were classified as warm markers. Meanwhile, 8 neurochemicals were identified as cool markers, correlated with the cool properties of American ginseng. It demonstrated that the score contributions of the 25 neurochemicals markers could be used to evaluate the warm and cool property degrees. Based on the regulatory effects of neurochemicals, the warm markers could promote the body's energy metabolism, improve the function of endocrine system, and enhance the excitability of central nervous system. The cool property markers have reduced excitability of central nervous system, weakened metabolism and stress response ability, thus presented the biological activity of cool and cold. ConclusionsOur findings provided a rapid and effective visualization method for the spatial distribution and metabolism of small molecular neurochemicals in rat brain. DESI-MSI was a reference methodology for evaluating the properties of TCM.

Central and peripheral nervous system responses to chronic and paced hyperventilation in anxious and healthy subjects

The aim of the present study was to examine self-report, peripheral nervous system, and central nervous system correlates of naturally-occurring, chronic hyperventilation (HV, assessed by hypocapnia or low resting state low end-tidal CO2), and to examine the additional effect of acute, experimentally-induced HV in anxious and healthy participants. By identifying the biomarkers of anxiety-related chronic HV and examining responses to acute HV, we hope to identify meaningful, mechanistic targets for further treatment development. Seventy anxious patients and 34 healthy control participants completed electroencephalogram (EEG) and peripheral nervous system recording at baseline and following a paced breathing task. Diagnosis x baseline hypnocapnia group analyses indicated that anxious/hypocapnic patients exhibited greater nonspecific skin conductance response amplitude than did anxious/normocapnic patients, and the anxious group reported greater HV-related symptoms and anxiety sensitivity than did the control group. However, no EEG abnormalities were noted as a function of anxiety group or baseline hypocapnia status. Following paced HV, anxious patients (but not controls) exhibited an increase in left-frontal alpha 1 power. Hypocapnic, but not normocapnic, participants exhibited an increase in skin conductance levels. Anxious patients reported an increase in negative cognitive appraisals of HV symptoms, and anxious/hypocapnic participants reported an increase in affective responses to HV. Thus, chronic HV is associated with greater arousal, and increased self-reported and physiological sensitivity to paced HV. Patients who chronically hyperventilate appear to be more sensitive to respiratory distress, responding with higher levels of anxiety and poorer tolerance of the physiological sensations accompanying acute HV.

Immunomodulatory effects of extracellular vesicles in glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GB) is a type of brain cancer that can be considered aggressive. Glioblastoma treatment has significant challenges due to the immune privilege site of the brain and the presentation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-secreted nanosized vesicles that engage in intercellular communication via delivery of cargo that may cause downstream effects such as tumor progression and recipient cell modulation. Although the roles of extracellular vesicles in cancer progression are well documented, their immunomodulatory effects are less defined. Herein, we focus on glioblastoma and explain the immunomodulatory effects of extracellular vesicles secreted by both tumor and immune cells in detail. The tumor to immune cells, immune cells to the tumor, and intra-immune cells extracellular vesicles crosstalks are involved in various immunomodulatory effects. This includes the promotion of immunosuppressive phenotypes, apoptosis, and inactivation of immune cell subtypes, which affects the central nervous system and peripheral immune system response, aiding in its survival and progression in the brain.

An Artificial Thermal Nociceptor Based on Xanthan Gum‐Gated Synaptic Transistors to Emulate Human Thermal Nociception

Nociceptors are kinds of sensory neurons that send warning information to the central nervous system in response to noxious stimuli. Thermal nociception happens as the thermal stimulus exceeds 45 °C as this temperature is perceived to be potentially harmful. Simulating this function is of great significance to developing bioinspired electronic skins and humanoid robots, which thus creates more demands for electronic devices that can simulate thermal nociception. Herein, an artificial thermal nociceptor (ATN) is fabricated by integrating a temperature sensor and a synaptic transistor, which can simulate the thermal pain threshold of the human body and operates in a very similar way as the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). For this ATN, the function of temperature sensing is realized by a graphite–polydimethylsiloxane (Gr–PDMS) composite temperature sensor, and the synaptic functions, as well as nociceptor features, are emulated through a synaptic transistor using xanthan gum polysaccharide electrolyte as gate dielectric, providing energy‐efficient building blocks for brain‐inspired computation systems. In a word, the ATN proposed can help to open a new avenue and provides more possibilities in the design of artificial sensory systems with the functions of temperature perception and thermal feedback.