Activation of Protein Kinase G After Repeated Cocaine Administration Is Necessary for the Phosphorylation of α-Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4-Isoxazolepropionic Acid Receptor GluA1 at Serine 831 in the Rat Nucleus Accumbens

Phosphorylation of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors in the striatum plays a crucial role in regulating the receptor-coupled signaling cascades leading to behavioral changes associated with psychostimulant exposure. The present study determined if activation of protein kinase G (PKG) contributes to the phosphorylation of AMPA receptor GluA1 subunit at the position of serine 831 (GluA1-S831) in the rat nucleus accumbens (NAc) after repeated cocaine administration. The results demonstrated that repeated intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of cocaine (20 mg/kg) once a day for seven consecutive days significantly increased the level of phosphorylated (p)GluA1-S831. This increase was decreased by the intra-NAc infusion of either the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) analog, Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS (5 nmol/1 μL), or the PKG inhibitor, KT5823 (2 nmol/1 μL). Repeated cocaine administration increased PKG binding activity to GluA1. This increase in GluA1-S831 phosphorylation after repeated cocaine administration was decreased by the intra-NAc infusion of the synthetic peptide (Tat-tagged interfering peptide (Tat-GluA1-i)), that interferes with the binding of PKG to GluA1. Intra-NAc infusion of the interfering peptide also reduced the repeated cocaine-induced increase in locomotor activity. These findings suggest that activated PKG, after repeated exposure to cocaine, binds to AMPA receptor GluA1 and is required for the phosphorylation of S831, contributing to behavioral changes

Controllable synthesis of molybdenum tungsten disulfide alloy for vertically composition-controlled multilayer

The effective synthesis of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides alloy is essential for successful application in electronic and optical devices based on a tunable band gap. Here we show a synthesis process for Mo<inf>1-x</inf>W<inf>x</inf>S<inf>2</inf> alloy using sulfurization of super-cycle atomic layer deposition Mo<inf>1-x</inf>W<inf>x</inf>O<inf>y</inf>. Various spectroscopic and microscopic results indicate that the synthesized Mo<inf>1-x</inf>W<inf>x</inf>S<inf>2</inf> alloys have complete mixing of Mo and Watoms and tunable band gap by systematically controlled composition and layer number. Based on this, we synthesize a vertically composition-controlled (VCC) Mo<inf>1-x</inf>W<inf>x</inf>S<inf>2</inf> multilayer using five continuous super-cycles with different cycle ratios for each super-cycle. Angle-resolved X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, Raman and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer results reveal that a VCC Mo<inf>1-x</inf>W<inf>x</inf>S<inf>2</inf> multilayer has different vertical composition and broadband light absorption with strong interlayer coupling within a VCC Mo<inf>1-x</inf>W<inf>x</inf>S<inf>2</inf> multilayer. Further, we demonstrate that a VCC Mo<inf>1-x</inf>W<inf>x</inf>S<inf>2</inf> multilayer photodetector generates three to four times greater photocurrent than MoS<inf>2</inf>-and WS<inf>2</inf>-based devices, owing to the broadband light absorption. © 2015 Macmillan Publishers Limitedopen1

Increased pulsatility index of the basilar artery is a risk factor for neurological deterioration after stroke: a case control study

Background : Higher pulsatility of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is known to be associated with stroke progression. We investigated whether pulsatility index (PI) of the basilar artery (BA) can predict neurological deterioration (ND) after acute cerebral infarction. Methods : A total of 708 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who had undergone transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography were included. ND was defined as an increase in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores by two or more points after admission. The patients were categorized into quartiles according to BA PI. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine whether BA PI is independently associated with ND. Results : BA PI was well correlated with the right (n = 474, r2 = 0.573, P < 0.001) by Pearson correlation analysis although MCA PI could not be measured from right MCA (n = 234, 33.05%) and left MCA (n = 252, 35.59%) by TCD owing to insufficient temporal bone window. Multivariable logistic regression analysis including age, sex, cerebral atherosclerosis burden, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at admission, and the proportion of patients with current smoking status, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation revealed that the higher BA PI (odds ratio, 3.28; confidence interval, 1.07–10.17; P = 0.038) was independently associated with ND. Conclusions : BA PI, which would be identified regardless of temporal window, could predict ND among acute stroke patients.The work was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF-2017R1D1A1B03029909, NRF-2019R1F1A1059455) and by the Korean Society of Hypertension (2019). The funding has no role in design, collection, analysis, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; and in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication

Peritoneal carcinomatosis with desmoplasia and osseous metaplasia mimicking encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis in a cat: case report

A 13-year-old neutered male Korean short-hair cat presented with anorexia, lethargy, and a severely distended abdomen, suggestive of ascites. Abdominocentesis yielded serosanguineous fluid. A subsequent diagnostic workup, including blood tests, ascitic fluid analysis, imaging studies [radiography, ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT)], and histopathological examination, was performed to identify the underlying cause. Imaging studies revealed characteristics of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) such as peritoneal thickening, fat stranding, and calcification. During laparotomy, fibrous membranes encapsulating the abdominal organs and ascites were observed, and multiple calcified regions were detected on the abdominal wall. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of poorly differentiated invasive malignant neoplasms, which were further classified as carcinomatosis based on positive cytokeratin and negative vimentin immunohistochemistry results. To our knowledge, this is the first report of sclerosing peritoneal carcinomatosis with osseous metaplasia in a cat

Exercise Barriers and Facilitators for Breast Cancer Patients After Surgery: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Abstracts PURPOSE This study aimed to understand the barriers to exercise and facilitators of exercise for up to 4 weeks following breast cancer surgery. METHODS A descriptive qualitative research method was used in this study. Twelve patients were recruited through purposive sampling immediately after breast cancer surgery. RESULTS Physical aspects (pain at the surgery site, reduction in the range of motion, and decrease in fitness), environmental aspects (difficulty in movement due to drain, lack of information on exercise), and psychological aspects (concerns about side effects, fear of pain, and fear of injury during exercise) were identified as barriers to exercise. Expectation of positive effects (recovery from surgery, prevention of lymphedema, usefulness for future radiation therapy, prevention of cancer recurrence, and health management) of exercise and social support (hospital education, support from medical staff, and exercise information received via mass media) were identified as facilitators of exercise. CONCLUSIONS We recognized different barriers to exercise and facilitators of exercise among patients who recently underwent breast cancer surgery. Future exercise intervention studies should consider minimizing such barriers and maximizing the facilitators identified in our study

Evaluation of the Chemical Characteristics and Predictive Model of Water-Soluble Inorganic Ions for Fine Particulate Matter Generated in Pohang

Objectives This study aims to contribute to establishing the regional effective management of fine particulate matter by evaluating the chemical characteristics and contribution of fine particulate matter, and the accuracy of predictive model of fine particulate matter through the measurement of water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs) and electrical conductivity for fine particulate matter generated in Pohang. Methods PM10 and PM2.5 samples were simultaneously collected using a low volume air sampler from April to November 2022. For sample analysis, cations of Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NH4+, Na+ and anions of Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, and electrical conductivity were measured after pretreatment by ultrasonic extraction. Results and Discussion The average concentrations of WSIIs for PM10 and PM2.5 in Pohang were 12.1μg/m3 and 8.5μg/m3, respectively, accounting for 35.5% and 50.0% of each fine particulate matter. The sum of NH4+, NO3-, SO42- concentration was found to account for the majority of 71% and 78% of WSIIs in PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. The PM2.5/PM10 ratios for NH4+, K+, and SO42- were 95%, 89%, and 81%, respectively, mostly present in PM2.5. The average ratio of PM2.5/PM10 for NO3- was 54%, but it rose sharply to 79% in November when the temperature was low, indicating an increase in contribution to the generation of PM2.5 in winter. During the sampling period excluding April and July, the ion balance for cations and anions was relatively good at a 1:1 ratio and showed chemical properties of fine particulate matter close to neutral. A regression model was evaluated for the measured electrical conductivity of WSIIs and the concentration of fine particulate matter. The MAE and RMSE values for PM2.5 were 1.8μg/m3 and 2.4μg/m3, respectively, which were lower than PM10 (MAE 7.5 μg/m3, RMSE 10.3μg/m3), indicating high precision and accuracy. Conclusion This study confirmed the origin of fine particulate matter generated in Pohang through WSIIs analysis, and suggested that the measured electrical conductivity of WSIIs could be used as a key parameter for measuring the concentration of fine particulate matter

Human Neural Stem Cells Over-Expressing VEGF Provide Neuroprotection, Angiogenesis and Functional Recovery in Mouse Stroke Model

BACKGROUND: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a lethal stroke type. As mortality approaches 50%, and current medical therapy against ICH shows only limited effectiveness, an alternative approach is required, such as stem cell-based cell therapy. Previously we have shown that intravenously transplanted human neural stem cells (NSCs) selectively migrate to the brain and induce behavioral recovery in rat ICH model, and that combined administration of NSCs and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) results in improved structural and functional outcome from cerebral ischemia. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We postulated that human NSCs overexpressing VEGF transplanted into cerebral cortex overlying ICH lesion could provide improved survival of grafted NSCs, increased angiogenesis and behavioral recovery in mouse ICH model. ICH was induced in adult mice by unilateral injection of bacterial collagenase into striatum. HB1.F3.VEGF human NSC line produced an amount of VEGF four times higher than parental F3 cell line in vitro, and induced behavioral improvement and 2–3 fold increase in cell survival at two weeks and eight weeks post-transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Brain transplantation of F3 human NSCs over-expressing VEGF near ICH lesion sites provided differentiation and survival of grafted human NSCs and renewed angiogenesis of host brain and functional recovery of ICH animals. These results suggest a possible application of the human neural stem cell line, which is genetically modified to over-express VEGF, as a therapeutic agent for ICH-stroke