ST2-104 attenuates neuronal injuries in A beta(25-35)-induced AD rats by inhibiting CRMP2-NMDAR2B signaling pathways

Collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2), traditionally regarded as an axon/dendrite growth and guidance protein, plays an important role in the regulation of both post-and pre-synaptic Ca2+ channels, such as N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). The Ca2+ channel-binding domain 3 (CBD3) peptide derived from CRMP2 has recently emerged as a Ca2+ channel blocker, suppressing neuropathic pain in a spared nerve injury (SNI) model when linked to the transduction domain of HIV TAT protein and reduced neuronal death in a middle cerebral artery occlusion model and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) model. The present study aimed to examine the neuroprotective effects and biochemical mechanisms of ST2-104 (a non-arginine-conjugated CBD3 peptide) in an A beta(25-35)-induced Alzheimer's disease (AD) rat model. This study demonstrated that CRMP2 and NMDARs subunit NMDAR2B form a direct biochemical complex, which regulates NMDAR activity in a rat model. ST2-104 peptide given via tail vein injections significantly reduced spatial learning and memory impairment. ST2-104 relieved neuronal injuries by suppressing expression of NMDAR2B and p-CRMP2 and increasing expression of CRMP2 in the hippocampus. Remarkably, ST2-104 attenuated levels of intracellular Ca2+ by disrupting the interaction between p-CRMP2 and NMDAR2B. Taken together, these findings support ST2-104 as a novel neuroprotective agent, potentially representing a novel direction for a therapeutic targeting channel in AD.National Natural Science Foundation of China [81571231]; Health and Family Planning Commission of Jilin Province [2015Z043]; Department of Education Foundation of Jilin Province [JJKH20190102KJ]; Department Science and Technology Foundation of Jilin Province [20190701058GH]; Talent Development Fund of Jilin ProvinceOpen access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

The association between serum phosphorus and common carotid artery intima–media thickness in ischemic stroke patients

PurposeAn elevated concentration of phosphorus is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Common carotid artery intima–media thickness (cIMT) is an imaging marker of atherosclerosis. However, data on the relationship between phosphorus and cIMT in ischemic stroke are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the association between serum phosphorus levels and cIMT in patients who had experienced ischemic stroke.Patients and methodsA total of 1,450 ischemic stroke patients were enrolled. Participants were divided into four groups (quartiles) according to baseline serum phosphorus level. Carotid atherosclerosis was identified by measurement of cIMT; abnormal cIMT was defined as a maximum cIMT or mean cIMT ≥ 1 mm. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the association between serum phosphorus level and the presence of abnormal cIMT.ResultsIn the multivariable adjusted analysis, falling into the highest quartile for serum phosphorus (Q4) was associated with a 2.00-fold increased risk of having abnormal maximum cIMT [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.00; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.44–2.79] and a 1.76-fold increased risk of having abnormal mean cIMT (adjusted OR 1.76; 95% CI 1.22–2.53) in comparison to Q1. Furthermore, the association between serum phosphorus and abnormal cIMT was confirmed in analyses treating serum phosphorus as a continuous variable and in subgroup analyses.ConclusionIn acute ischemic stroke patients, baseline elevated serum phosphorus level was found to be independently associated with carotid atherosclerosis, as measured by cIMT

Analysis of Pedestrian Street-Crossing Decision-Making Based on Vehicle Deceleration-Safety Gap

Numerous traffic crashes occur every year on zebra crossings in China. Pedestrians are vulnerable road users who are usually injured severely or fatally during human-vehicle collisions. The development of an effective pedestrian street-crossing decision-making model is essential to improving pedestrian street-crossing safety. For this purpose, this paper carried out a naturalistic field experiment to collect a large number of vehicle and pedestrian motion data. Through interviewed with many pedestrians, it is found that they pay more attention to whether the driver can safely brake the vehicle before reaching the zebra crossing. Therefore, this work established a novel decision-making model based on the vehicle deceleration-safety gap (VD-SGM). The deceleration threshold of VD-SGM was determined based on signal detection theory (SDT). To verify the performance of VD-SGM proposed in this work, the model was compared with the Raff model. The results show that the VD-SGM performs better and the false alarm rate is lower. The VD-SGM proposed in this work is of great significance to improve pedestrians’ safety. Meanwhile, the model can also increase the efficiency of autonomous vehicles

Human-Like Obstacle Avoidance Trajectory Planning and Tracking Model for Autonomous Vehicles That Considers the Driver’s Operation Characteristics

Developing a human-like autonomous driving system has gained increasing amounts of attention from both technology companies and academic institutions, as it can improve the interpretability and acceptance of the autonomous system. Planning a safe and human-like obstacle avoidance trajectory is one of the critical issues for the development of autonomous vehicles (AVs). However, when designing automatic obstacle avoidance systems, few studies have focused on the obstacle avoidance characteristics of human drivers. This paper aims to develop an obstacle avoidance trajectory planning and trajectory tracking model for AVs that is consistent with the characteristics of human drivers’ obstacle avoidance trajectory. Therefore, a modified artificial potential field (APF) model was established by adding a road boundary repulsive potential field and ameliorating the obstacle repulsive potential field based on the traditional APF model. The model predictive control (MPC) algorithm was combined with the APF model to make the planning model satisfy the kinematic constraints of the vehicle. In addition, a human driver’s obstacle avoidance experiment was implemented based on a six-degree-of-freedom driving simulator equipped with multiple sensors to obtain the drivers’ operation characteristics and provide a basis for parameter confirmation of the planning model. Then, a linear time-varying MPC algorithm was employed to construct the trajectory tracking model. Finally, a co-simulation model based on CarSim/Simulink was established for off-line simulation testing, and the results indicated that the proposed trajectory planning controller and the trajectory tracking controller were more human-like under the premise of ensuring the safety and comfort of the obstacle avoidance operation, providing a foundation for the development of AVs

Thoracoscopic transclavicular approach for a large thoracic inlet tumor

Large lesions of the thoracic inlet represent a significant challenge to surgeons due to their close relationship with important adjacent neurovascular structures. We report a case of neurofibromatosis type 1 presented with a large neurofibroma located in the right thoracic inlet, and a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in the right clavicle and treated with a hybrid thoracoscopic anterior transclavicular approach to remove the tumors. Combination of thoracoscopic and minimal chest wall resection may serve as a feasible option for resection of the large and benign thoracic inlet tumor in a way of minimal invasiveness and safety.3 page(s

Particulate matter deposited on leaf of five evergreen species in Beijing, China:source identification and size distribution

Airborne particulate matter (PM) has become a serious problem, and urban plants can play important roles in reducing PM concentrations in the air. The morphology, size, and elemental composition of PM on tree leaves (five evergreen species) from Beijing, China, were obtained, together with number density of PM size fraction, by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-rays (EDX). The rinse and weigh method was used to characterize PM in three size categories (0.2–2.5 μm, 2.5–10 μm, and 10–100 μm). The results showed that PM up to 2 μm can get into the stomatal cavity, and the most furrowed areas of the leaf surfaces were sites of maximum PM deposition. The leaf-deposited PM mainly comprised C, O, Si, and Fe. The number of particles per leaf per cm2 was 1.95 × 107, and 96% of the particles were less than 2.5 μm. The mass concentration was 148.44 μg/cm2, and PM2.5 comprised only 2.09% by weight while PM larger than 10 μm comprised 79%. Juniperus formosana was most effective at mitigating airborne PM on the leaf scale. Pinus bungeana accumulated the most PM on the tree scale. The results showed that urban plants can play important roles in mitigating urban airborne PM

The spatial-temporal characteristics and health impacts of ambient fine particulate matter in China

Airborne particulate matter presents a serious health threat to human beings, but in China there have until now been few epidemiological studies, especially regarding the impact of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This study explored first the temporal and spatial characteristics of ambient airborne PM2.5 in China, 2013. Mortality, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic bronchitis were then evaluated as four health endpoints attributed to PM2.5. The results showed that the average annual PM2.5 concentration was 72.71 μg/m3; the PM2.5 concentration was below 35 μg/m3 for only 6% of the time, for the whole year. In terms of the PM2.5 concentration, January (133.10 μg/m3) and December (120.19 μg/m3) were the most polluted months, whereas July (38.76 μg/m3) and August (41.31 μg/m3) were the least polluted months. The most highly polluted areas were concentrated in North China. In terms of the health endpoints attributable to PM2.5, there were 763,595 mortality, 149,754 cardiovascular diseases, 446,035 respiratory diseases, and 2,389,035 chronic bronchitis cases. Results were very important to clarify the current PM2.5 pollution situation and the health impact of PM2.5 in China. And also provided a reference for the assessing damage caused by PM2.5 pollution

Reprint of:The spatial-temporal characteristics and health impacts of ambient fine particulate matter in China

Airborne particulate matter presents a serious health threat to human beings, but in China there have until now been few epidemiological studies, especially regarding the impact of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This study explored first the temporal and spatial characteristics of ambient airborne PM2.5 in China, 2013. Mortality, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic bronchitis were then evaluated as four health endpoints attributed to PM2.5. The results showed that the average annual PM2.5 concentration was 72.71 μg/m3; the PM2.5 concentration was below 35 μg/m3 for only 6% of the time, for the whole year. In terms of the PM2.5 concentration, January (133.10 μg/m3) and December (120.19 μg/m3) were the most polluted months, whereas July (38.76 μg/m3) and August (41.31 μg/m3) were the least polluted months. The most highly polluted areas were concentrated in North China. In terms of the health endpoints attributable to PM2.5, there were 763,595 mortality, 149,754 cardiovascular diseases, 446,035 respiratory diseases, and 2,389,035 chronic bronchitis cases. Results were very important to clarify the current PM2.5 pollution situation and the health impact of PM2.5 in China. And also provided a reference for the assessing damage caused by PM2.5 pollution