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15 January 2012, Volume 7 Issue 2 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Influence of RNA interference on the mitochondrial subcellular localization of alpha-synuclein and on the formation of Lewy body-like inclusions in the cytoplasm of human embryonic kidney 293 cells induced by the overexpression of alpha- synuclein Tao Chen, Xiaoping Liao, Guoqiang Wen, Yidong Deng, Min Guo, Zhigang Long, Feng Ouyang 2012, 7 (2):  85-90.  Abstract ( 202 )   PDF (265KB) ( 891 )   Save The specific and effective α-synuclein RNA interference (RNAi) plasmids, and the α-synuclein-pEGFP recombinant plasmids were co-transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells using the lipofectamine method. Using an inverted fluorescence microscope, α-synuclein proteins were observed to aggregate in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Wild-type α-synuclein proteins co-localized with mitochondria. Hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed round eosinophilic bodies (Lewy body-like inclusions) in the cytoplasm of some cells transfected with α-synuclein-pEGFP plasmid. However, the formation of Lewy body-like inclusions was not observed following transfection with the RNAi pSYN-1 plasmid. RNAi blocked Lewy body-like inclusions in the cytoplasm of HEK293 cells induced by wild-type α-synuclein overexpression, but RNAi did not affect the subcellular localization of wild-type α-synuclein in mitochondria. Related Articles | Metrics

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Proteolipid protein 1 gene sequencing of hereditary spastic paraplegia Yu Gao, Lumei Chi, Yinshi Jin, Guangxian Nan 2012, 7 (2):  91-95.  Abstract ( 201 )   PDF (243KB) ( 864 )   Save PCR amplification and sequencing of whole blood DNA from an individual with hereditary spastic paraplegia, as well as family members, revealed a fragment of proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1) gene exon 1, which excluded the possibility of isomer 1 expression for this family. The fragment sequence of exon 3 and exon 5 was consistent with the proteolipid protein 1 sequence at NCBI. In the proband samples, a PLP1 point mutation in exon 4 was detected at the basic group of position 844, T→C, phenylalanine→leucine. In proband samples from a male cousin, the basic group at position 844 was C, but gene sequencing signals revealed mixed signals of T and C, indicating possible mutation at this locus. Results demonstrated that changes in PLP1 exon 4 amino acids were associated with onset of hereditary spastic paraplegia. Related Articles | Metrics

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Correlation between human seizure-related gene 6 variants and idiopathic generalized epilepsy in a Southern Chinese Han population Jianming Jiang, Xiaoling Chen, Wenting Liu, Yan Zhao, Yangtai Guan, Yan Han, Feng Wang, Jiajun Lu, Zhiliang Yu, Zhenfang Du, Xianning Zhang 2012, 7 (2):  96-100.  Abstract ( 230 )   PDF (395KB) ( 847 )   Save This study sought to analyze the genotype and gene mutations of human seizure-related gene 6 in 98 patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (non-febrile seizures), who were selected from three generations of the Chinese Han population living in Shanghai, Zhejiang Province, Wuxi of Jiangsu Province, and Jiangxi Province of Southern China. Twenty-six patients’ parents were available as a first-degree relatives group and 100 biologically unrelated healthy controls were collected as the control group. Based on the age of onset and seizure type, the patients were divided into six subgroups. Polymerase chain reaction and DNA direct sequencing analysis showed that the most frequent mutations c.1249dupC (p.Gly418Argfx31) and c.1636A > G (p.Thr546Ala) were detected in some idiopathic generalized epilepsy patients and their asymptomatic first-degree relatives (30.6% vs. 19.2% and 11.2% vs. 26.9%). A novel mutation c.1807G > A (p.Val603Met) was found in a patient with late-onset idiopathic generalized epilepsy. There was no significant difference in the incidence of these three mutations among the different subgroups of idiopathic generalized epilepsy and controls. Thus, further analysis of a larger population is needed to confirm the assumption that human seizure-related gene 6 is a susceptibility gene for idiopathic generalized epilepsy with various sub-syndromes. Related Articles | Metrics

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Changes in social emotion recognition following traumatic frontal lobe injury Ana Teresa Martins, Luis Faísca, Francisco Esteves, Cláudia Simão, Mariline Gomes Justo, Angélica Muresan, Alexandra Reis 2012, 7 (2):  101-108.  Abstract ( 191 )   PDF (270KB) ( 736 )   Save Changes in social and emotional behaviour have been consistently observed in patients with traumatic brain injury. These changes are associated with emotion recognition deficits which represent one of the major barriers to a successful familiar and social reintegration. In the present study, 32 patients with traumatic brain injury, involving the frontal lobe, and 41 age- and education-matched healthy controls were analyzed. A Go/No-Go task was designed, where each participant had to recognize faces representing three social emotions (arrogance, guilt and jealousy). Results suggested that ability to recognize two social emotions (arrogance and jealousy) was significantly reduced in patients with traumatic brain injury, indicating frontal lesion can reduce emotion recognition ability. In addition, the analysis of the results for hemispheric lesion location (right, left or bilateral) suggested the bilateral lesion sub-group showed a lower accuracy on all social emotions. Related Articles | Metrics

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The calcium uniporter regulates the permeability transition pore in isolated cortical mitochondria Ning Yu, Shilei Wang, Peng Wang, Yu Li, Shuhong Li, Li Wang, Hongbing Chen, Yanting Wang 2012, 7 (2):  109-113.  Abstract ( 295 )   PDF (168KB) ( 1298 )   Save To investigate the influence of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter on the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, the present study observed mitochondrial morphology in cortical neurons isolated from adult rats using transmission electron microscopy, and confirmed the morphology and activity of isolated mitochondria by detecting succinic dehydrogenase and monoamine oxidase, two mitochondrial enzymes. Isolated mitochondria were treated with either ruthenium red, an inhibitor of the uniporter, spermine, an activator of the uniporter, or in combination with cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Results showed that ruthenium red inhibited CaCl2-induced mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, spermine enhanced opening, and cyclosporin A attenuated the effects of spermine. Results demonstrated that the mitochondrial calcium uniporter plays a role in regulating the mitochondrial permeability transition pore in mitochondria isolated from the rat brain cortex. Related Articles | Metrics

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Effects of minocycline on learning and memory of mice following ischemic-hypoxic cerebral injuries Hongling Fan, Yuanyin Zheng, Lijuan Xu, Zhichao Zhong, Shining Cai, Shuling Zhang, Quanzhong Chang 2012, 7 (2):  114-118.  Abstract ( 229 )   PDF (244KB) ( 821 )   Save An ischemic-hypoxic animal model was established using right common carotid artery occlusions and inhalation of low concentrations of oxygen in mice. At 10 days after the ischemic-hypoxic injuries, saline-treated mice exhibited significantly prolonged escape latencies in water-maze tests and significantly shorter memory latencies and more mistakes in step-down tests. In contrast, mice treated with 5 mg/kg minocycline exhibited significant reversals of each of these effects compared with the saline-treated control mice. Moreover, we found that minocycline can relieve brain water content and morphological changes in mice following ischemic-hypoxic cerebral injuries. Accordingly, our findings indicate that minocycline provides some protections against the deleterious effects of these injuries in mice. Related Articles | Metrics

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Altered expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 alpha after acute diffuse brain injury Effect of the competitive antagonist 1-aminoindan-1, 5-dicarboxylic acid Fei Cao, Mantao Chen, Gu Li, Ke Ye, Xin Huang, Xiujue Zheng 2012, 7 (2):  119-124.  Abstract ( 257 )   PDF (292KB) ( 748 )   Save The diffuse brain injury model was conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats, according to Marmarou’s free-fall attack. The water content in brain tissue, expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1α mRNA and protein were significantly increased after injury, reached a peak at 24 hours, and then gradually decreased. After treatment with the competitive antagonist of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1α, (RS)-1-aminoindan-1, 5-dicarboxylic acid, the water content of brain tissues decreased between 12-72 hours after injury, and neurological behaviors improved at 2 weeks. These experimental findings suggest that the 1-aminoindan-1, 5-dicarboxylic acid may result in marked neuroprotection against diffuse brain injury. Related Articles | Metrics

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Dynamic expression of cerebral cortex and hippocampal glutamate transporters in a rat model of chest compression-induced global cerebral ischemia Qinhua Guo, Jin Lan, Weiqiao Zhang, Pin Guo, Liemei Guo, Zhiqiang Li, Yongming Qiu 2012, 7 (2):  125-130.  Abstract ( 197 )   PDF (623KB) ( 1066 )   Save The present study established a rat model of global cerebral ischemia induced by chest compression for six minutes to dynamically observe expressional changes of three glutamate transporters in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. After 24 hours of ischemia, expression of glutamate transporter-1 significantly decreased in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, which was accompanied by neuronal necrosis. At 7 days post-ischemia, expression of excitatory amino acid carrier 1 decreased in the hippocampal CA1 region and cortex, and was accompanied by apoptosis. Expression of glutamate-aspartate transporter remained unchanged at 6 hours-7 days after ischemia. These results suggested that glutamate transporter levels were altered at different periods of cerebral ischemia. Related Articles | Metrics

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Rizatriptan benzoate influences the endogenous pain modulatory system in a rat model of migraine Gang Yao, Yuhong Man, Xiangdan Luo, Tingmin Yu, Lin Ji 2012, 7 (2):  131-135.  Abstract ( 226 )   PDF (183KB) ( 992 )   Save The present study utilized a nitroglycerin-induced rat model of migraine to detect the effects of rizatriptan benzoate on proenkephalin and substance P gene expression in the midbrain using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and investigate whether rizatriptan benzoate can regulate the endogenous pain modulatory system. The results showed that rizatriptan benzoate significantly reduced expression of the mRNAs for proenkephalin and substance P. Rizatriptan benzoate may inhibit the analgesic effect of the endogenous pain modulatory system. Related Articles | Metrics

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Calcium channel blockers and Alzheimer’s disease Yi Tan, Yulin Deng, Hong Qing 2012, 7 (2):  137-140.  Abstract ( 239 )   PDF (206KB) ( 1142 )   Save Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by two pathological hallmarks: amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. In addition, calcium homeostasis is disrupted in the course of human aging. Recent research shows that dense plaques can cause functional alteration of calcium signals in mice with Alzheimer’s disease. Calcium channel blockers are effective therapeutics for treating Alzheimer’s disease. This review provides an overview of the current research of calcium channel blockers involved in Alzheimer’s disease therapy. Related Articles | Metrics

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The role of autophagy in Parkinson’s disease Lei Zhang, Yaru Dong, Xiaoheng Xu, Zhong Xu 2012, 7 (2):  141-145.  Abstract ( 261 )   PDF (118KB) ( 1117 )   Save Although Parkinson’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder, the mechanisms of pathogenesis remain poorly understood. Recent findings have shown that deregulation of the autophagy-lysosome pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. This review summarizes the most recent findings and discusses the unique role of the autophagy-lysosome pathway in Parkinson’s disease to highlight the possibility of Parkinson’s disease treatment strategies that incorporate autophagy-lysosome pathway modulation. Related Articles | Metrics

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Tissue plasminogen activator-independent roles of neuroserpin in the central nervous system Jiao Ma, Yu Tong, Dan Yu, Meng Mao 2012, 7 (2):  146-151.  Abstract ( 239 )   PDF (146KB) ( 864 )   Save A number of studies have confirmed the existence of tissue-type plasminogen activator-independent roles of neuroserpin, a member of the serine protease inhibitor superfamily. In this review article, we aim to clarify this role. These unique roles of neuroserpin are involved in its neuroprotective effect during ischemic brain injury, its regulation of tumorigenesis, and the mediation of emotion and cognition through the inhibition of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and fibrinolysin, modification of Th cells, reducing plaque formation, promoting process growth and intracellular adhesion, and altering the expression of cadherin and nuclear factor kappa B. Related Articles | Metrics

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Literature study on clinical treatment of facial paralysis in the last 20 years using Web of Science Comparison between rehabilitation, physiotherapy and acupuncture Xiaoge Zhang, Ling Feng, Liang Du, Anxiang Zhang, Tian Tang 2012, 7 (2):  152-159.  Abstract ( 215 )   PDF (314KB) ( 1624 )   Save BACKGROUND: Facial paralysis is defined as severe or complete loss of facial muscle motor function. OBJECTIVE: The study was undertaken to explore a bibliometric approach to quantitatively assess the research on clinical treatment of facial paralysis using rehabilitation, physiotherapy and acupuncture using Web of Science from 1992 to 2011. DESIGN: Bibliometric approach. DATA RETRIEVAL: A bibliometric analysis based on the publications on Web of Science was performed using key words such as “facial paralysis”, “rehabilitation”, “physiotherapy” and “acupuncture”. INCLUSIVE CRITERIA: (1) Research articles on the clinical treatment of facial paralysis using acupuncture or physiotherapy (e.g. exercise, electro-stimulation) and other rehabilitation methods; (2) researches on human and animal fundamentals, clinical trials and case reports; (3) Article types: article, review, proceedings paper, note, letter, editorial material, discussion, book chapter. (4) Publication year: 1992-2011 inclusive. Exclusion criteria: (1) Articles on the causes and diagnosis on facial paralysis; (2) Type of articles: correction; (3) Articles from following databases: all databases related to social science and chemical databases in Web of Science. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Overall number of publications; (2) number of publications annually; (3) number of citations received annually; (4) top cited paper; (5) subject categories of publication; (6) the number of countries in which the article is published; (7) distribution of output in journals. RESULTS: Overall population stands at 3 543 research articles addressing the clinical treatment of facial paralysis in Web of Science during the study period. There is also a markedly increase in the number of publications on the subject “facial paralysis treatments using rehabilitation” during the first decade of the 21st century, except in 2004 and 2006 when there are perceptible drops in the number of articles published. The only other year during the study period saw such a drop is 1993. Specifically, there are 192 published articles on facial paralysis treated by rehabilitation in the past two decades, far more than the output of physiotherapy treatment. Physiotherapy treatment scored only 25 articles including acupuncture treatment, with over 80% of these written by Chinese researchers and clinicians. Ranked by regions, USA is by far the most productive country in terms of the number of publications on facial paralysis rehabilitation and physiotherapy research. Seeing from another angle, the journals that focus on otolaryngology published the most number of articles in rehabilitation and physiotherapy studies, whereas most acupuncture studies on facial paralysis were published in the alternative and complementary medicine journals. CONCLUSION: Study of facial paralysis remains an area of active investigation and innovation. Further clinical studies in humans addressing the use of growth factors or stem cells continue to successful facial nerve regeneration. Related Articles | Metrics