Role of Edaravone as a Treatment Option for Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease that leads to a loss of muscle control due to nerve cells being affected in the brain and spinal cord. Some of the common clinical presentations of ALS include weakness of muscles, changes in behavior, dysfunction in speech, and cognitive difficulties. The cause of ALS is uncertain, but through several studies, it is known that mutations in SOD1 or C9orf72 genes could play a role as a factor of ALS. In addition, studies indicate that an excessive amount of free radicals, the reactive oxygen species (ROS), leads to neuronal damage by the peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in the neuronal cells. Edaravone, the newly approved antioxidant drug for ALS, halts the progression of ALS in the early stages through its cytoprotective effect and protects the nerves by reducing ROS. In this review, different aspects of ALS will be discussed, including its pathology, genetic aspect, and diagnosis. This review also focuses on edaravone as a treatment option for ALS, its mechanism of action, and its pharmacological properties. Clinical trials and adverse effects of edaravone and care for ALS patient are also discussed

Trends in the management levels of metabolic risk factors in middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1998-2014.

The present study examined the temporal trends in the management of blood pressure, glucose, and lipid levels among middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1998-2014). A total of 3,689 patients with diabetes were included and divided into middle-aged (30-64 years old) and elderly (≥65 years old) groups. Demographic and lifestyle data were obtained using a self-reported questionnaire, and trained medical staff obtained fasting blood samples and blood pressure data. Laboratory testing was performed to determine blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. In the multivariable adjusted models, significant decreasing trends in the prevalences of hyperglycemia and hypertension were observed in both age groups during 1998-2014, although no trends were observed for lipid levels. Based on the most recent survey, approximately 50% of patients with diabetes had hyperglycemia, and one-third of patients with diabetes and hypertension did not appropriately manage their blood pressure. In addition, 50% of the patients in both age groups did not manage their lipid profiles, and the management of lipid profiles did not improve in recent years. These results suggest that continuous follow-up is needed to effectively manage metabolic risk factors, especially lipid profiles, among patients with diabetes

Defluorinative C–C Bond-Forming Reaction of Trifluoromethyl Alkenes with <i>gem</i>-(Diborylalkyl)lithiums

We report the transition-metal-free defluorinative C-C bond-forming reaction of trifluoromethyl alkenes with gem-(diborylalkyl)lithiums. This synthetic strategy provides access to a variety of 4,4-difluoro homoallylic diboronate esters, which serve as versatile intermediates in the efficient preparation of valuable gem-difluoroalkene derivatives. Further synthetic modifications are conducted to demonstrate the synthetic utility of the obtained 4,4-difluoro homoallylic diboronate esters. © 2022 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.11Nsciescopu

The prevalences of hyperglycemia among patients with diabetes mellitus according to age group and survey period.

<p>Values are adjusted for sex, medication use, smoking status (current smoker, previous smoker, or never smoker), alcohol consumption (<1 vs. ≥1 drink/day for women or <2 vs. ≥2 drinks/day for men), body mass index (<23 kg/m² or ≥23 kg/m²), education level (less than high school or more than high school), duration of diabetes, and psychosocial stress. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001.</p

Characteristics of patients with diabetes mellitus according to age group.

<p>Characteristics of patients with diabetes mellitus according to age group.</p

Insights on interferon-independent induction of interferon-stimulated genes shaping the lung's response in early SARS-CoV-2 infection

While mRNA vaccine efficacy against the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak remains high, research on antiviral innate immune responses in the early stages of infection is essential to develop strategies to prevent the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we investigated the induction of both interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes (ISGs) and IFN-independently upregulated ISGs following SARS-CoV-2 infection in Syrian golden hamsters. The viral titers were highest at 3 days post-infection (dpi). Over time, the viral titer gradually decreased while ISGs such as Mx1, Ifit2, Ifit3, Ifi44, and Rsad2 were markedly induced in the lung. The transcription of ISGs significantly increased from 2 dpi, and SARS-CoV-2-induced ISGs were maintained in the hamster lung until 7 dpi. The transcription of Ifnb and Ifng was minimally elevated, while Ifnl2/3 was significantly induced in the lung at 5 days after SARS-CoV-2 infection. RNA sequencing results also showed that at 3 dpi, SARS-CoV-2 initiated the activation of ISGs, with lesser increases of Ifnl2 and Ifnl3 transcription. In addition, Ddx58 and cGAS, which encode factors for virus sensing, Stat1, Stat2, and IFN regulatory factor 7 and 9 mRNA levels were also induced at the initial stage of infection. Our data demonstrate that ISGs might be upregulated in the lung in response to SARS-CoV-2 during the early stages of infection, and the rapid induction of ISGs was not associated with the activation of IFNs. Elucidation of IFN-independent induction of ISGs could further our understanding of alternative defense mechanisms employed by the lungs against SARS-CoV-2 and provide more effective antiviral strategies for patients with severe COVID-19

The prevalences of uncontrolled blood pressure and hypertension among patients with diabetes mellitus according to age group and survey period.

<p>Values are adjusted for sex, medication use, smoking status (current smoker, previous smoker, or never smoker), alcohol consumption (<1 vs. ≥1 drink/day for women or <2 vs. ≥2 drinks/day for men), body mass index (<23 kg/m² or ≥23 kg/m²), education level (less than high school or more than high school), duration of diabetes, and psychosocial stress. *p < 0.05.</p

The effects of visitors and social isolation from a peer on the behavior of a mixed-species pair of captive gibbons

Human visitors affect the behavior of captive animals, which is the so-called visitor effect. The number and behavior of visitors may influence stress-related behaviors in captive animals, such as self-scratching, yawning, and visitor-directed vigilance. A social group setting can be applied to alleviate such negative visitor effects and facilitate social behavior and interactions between individuals. In this study, we examined how the number and behavior of visitors are related to stress-related behaviors of a captive mixed-species gibbon pair comprising a yellow-cheek gibbon (Nomascus gabriellae) and a white-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar). The two gibbons were separated during the study period, and we examined whether the social isolation stimulated the visitor effect. The frequency of stress-related behaviors of the gibbons increased and the social playing between them decreased proportionally to visitor number. In the indoor enclosure, the gibbons increased their visitor-directed vigilance when visitors shouted or struck the glass partition. Our findings indicate that the number and behavior of visitors negatively affect captive gibbons and that a mixed-species social setting can help gibbons reduce visitor-induced stress. Future studies with larger sample sizes will improve the understanding of the visitor effect and the social setting in the captivity

Study flow chart using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1998–2014).

<p>The final participants (3,689 patients) was selected from 177,056 individuals who participated in the six surveys, and the participants for each KNHANES survey are shown.</p

Impact of biochar and compost amendment on corn yield and greenhouse gas emissions under waterlogged conditions

Abstract Biochar, widely recognized for its capacity to counteract climate change impacts, has demonstrated substantial benefits in agricultural ecosystems. Nevertheless, empirical studies exploring its efficacy during climatic aberrations such as heavy rainfall are limited. This study investigated the effects of compost and biochar addition on corn growth attributes, yield, and soil CO2 and N2O fluxes under heavy rain (exceeding 5-yr average) and waterlogging conditions. Here, treatments included compost (CP, 7.6 t ha−1); rice husk biochar (RB, 7.6 t ha−1); wood biochar (WB, 7.6 t ha−1); and control (Cn). Under high rainfall and waterlogging, the CP treatment manifested a pronounced enhancement in corn biomass and productivity, exceeding biomass and productivity of Cn treatment by 12.6 and 32.2%, RB treatment by 120 and 195%, and WB treatment by 86.1 and 111%, respectively. Corn yield increased in the order: CP > Cn > WB > RB. Intriguingly, negligible disparity occurred between the RB and WB treatments in straw yield, grain yield, grain index, and corn productivity but both treatments recorded distinctively lower values than CP treatment. Also, the CO2 and N2O fluxes remained largely similar for two biochar treatments but lower than CP treatment. Overall, CP increased corn yield, straw, and grain yield whereas biochars reduced N2O flux during waterlogging. Although derived from a short-term experimental window, these pivotal findings furnish invaluable insights for devising soil amendments for yield and environmental benefits in contexts of extreme climatic perturbations. Our findings offer a robust foundation for refining nutrient management strategies confronted with waterlogging challenges, but long-term studies are necessary for definitive conclusions