Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Emerg Med 2020 Mar 27;58(3):e153-e155. Epub 2020 Jan 27.

Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Background: Zipper injuries are rare in the pediatric emergency department, with most reported cases involving the penile and scrotal skin. Knowledge of appropriate zipper release techniques is important to ensure safe and immediate removal of entrapped tissue to prevent complications.

Case Report: This case report describes a unique presentation of a zipper injury involving entrapment of the upper eyelid. Read More

Life Sci 2020 Mar 20;244:117331. Epub 2020 Jan 20.

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.

Aim: Drug-induced liver and kidney injuries are worldwide problems that cause restrictions in the use of drugs. The injury is highly mediated by oxidative stress and inflammation pathways. So, demonstrating the role of the natural compound (Vit. Read More

Mol Neurodegener 2019 11 27;14(1):44. Epub 2019 Nov 27.

Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of CNS neurodegeneration and has no disease-altering therapies. It is commonly associated with a specific type of biomechanical disruption of the axon called traumatic axonal injury (TAI), which often leads to axonal and sometimes perikaryal degeneration of CNS neurons. We have previously used genome-scale, arrayed RNA interference-based screens in primary mouse retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) to identify a pair of related kinases, dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) and leucine zipper kinase (LZK) that are key mediators of cell death in response to simple axotomy. Read More

Curr Opin Neurol 2019 12;32(6):786-795

Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology.

Purpose Of Review: Diffuse or traumatic axonal injury is one of the principal pathologies encountered in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the resulting axonal loss, disconnection, and brain atrophy contribute significantly to clinical morbidity and disability. The seminal discovery of the slow Wallerian degeneration mice (Wld) in which transected axons do not degenerate but survive and function independently for weeks has transformed concepts on axonal biology and raised hopes that axonopathies may be amenable to specific therapeutic interventions. Here we review mechanisms of axonal degeneration and also describe how these mechanisms may inform biological therapies of traumatic axonopathy in the context of TBI. Read More

Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 2019 10;35:501-521

Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA; email:

The dual leucine zipper-bearing kinase (DLK) and leucine zipper-bearing kinase (LZK) are evolutionarily conserved MAPKKKs of the mixed-lineage kinase family. Acting upstream of stress-responsive JNK and p38 MAP kinases, DLK and LZK have emerged as central players in neuronal responses to a variety of acute and traumatic injuries. Recent studies also implicate their function in astrocytes, microglia, and other nonneuronal cells, reflecting their expanding roles in the multicellular response to injury and in disease. Read More

FASEB J 2019 08 10;33(8):9062-9074. Epub 2019 Jun 10.

Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.

The paracellular gap formed by endothelial cell (EC) contraction is fundamental for endothelium permeability, but the mechanism underlying EC contraction has yet to be determined. Here, we identified the zipper-interacting protein kinase (ZIPK) as the kinase for EC contraction and myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation. Inhibition of ZIPK activity by pharmacological inhibitors and small interfering RNAs led to a significant decrease in the mono- and diphosphorylation of MLCs along with a contractile response to thrombin, suggesting an essential role of ZIPK in EC paracellular permeability. Read More

Artif Cells Nanomed Biotechnol 2019 Dec;47(1):2307-2315

c Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University , Changchun , Jilin , China.

The present study planned to dig the potential impacts of long non-coding RNA B3GALT5-AS1 in acute pancreatitis (AP). A total of 66 patients who were diagnosed with AP using ultrasonic imaging were enrolled in the study. Expression levels of B3GALT5-AS1 in the serum of AP patients were determined. Read More

Leg Med (Tokyo) 2019 May 15;38:69-72. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan. Electronic address:

Autoerotic death is defined as the accidental death of an individual while masturbating, caused by a device or material used to enhance the sexual response. Here we report an autopsy case of autoerotic death and review the literature. A healthy, single, 33-year-old Japanese male was found dead in his room in a prone position. Read More

Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2019 Jul 1;66(4):555-563. Epub 2019 May 1.

Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Huaian No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.

Although cilostazol was proved to have antitumor biological effects, its function in myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury and the underlying mechanisms were not fully illustrated yet. In this study, a rat model of I/R injury was constructed and quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence (IF) assay were performed. Our results showed that cilostazol increased LC3 II/LC3 I ratio, reduced p62 abundance, and promoted the expressions of LAMP1, LAMP2, cathepsin B, and cathepsin D, indicating that cilostazol could activate autophagy and elevated lysosome activation. Read More

Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2019 Jul 12;35(7):417-424. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

Department of Emergency, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Limb ischemia reperfusion (LIR) can activate endogenous cytoprotective mechanisms by generating specific proteins against reperfusion injury in remote organs. The present study investigated the roles of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway and the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of this pathway on lung injury following LIR. LIR was induced by ischemia for 4 hours followed by reperfusion for 6 hours (LIR 6 hours) or 16 hours (LIR 16 hours) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Read More

Neurobiol Dis 2019 07 5;127:178-192. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address:

Following damage to a peripheral nerve, injury signaling pathways converge in the cell body to generate transcriptional changes that support axon regeneration. Here, we demonstrate that dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK), a central regulator of injury responses including axon regeneration and neuronal apoptosis, is required for the induction of the pro-regenerative transcriptional program in response to peripheral nerve injury. Using a sensory neuron-conditional DLK knockout mouse model, we show a time course for the dependency of gene expression changes on the DLK pathway after sciatic nerve injury. Read More

Int J Med Sci 2018 7;15(13):1423-1432. Epub 2018 Sep 7.

Department of Orthopedics, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University.

Peripheral nerve injury is known to activate the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) pathway as one of pro-regenerative transcriptional programs, which could stimulate multiple injury-induced gene expression and contribute to axon regeneration and functional recovery. However, the role of HIF-1α in peripheral nerve regeneration remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, rats were divided into three groups and treated with sham surgery, surgery with cobalt chloride (CoCl) and surgery with saline, respectively. Read More

J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2019 Mar 28;33(3):e22253. Epub 2018 Oct 28.

Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, AL-Delta University, Gamasa, Egypt.

Alcohol consumption is a major global risk factor for mortality and morbidity. We aimed to delineate the mechanisms underlying the potential ameliorative effects of hesperidin against chronically ethanol-induced cardiotoxicity. Sixty male albino rats were divided into normal control group, hesperidin-treated control group, untreated alcoholic group, and hesperidin-treated alcoholic group. Read More

Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018 10 11;504(4):805-811. Epub 2018 Sep 11.

The Nerve Involvement Department in People's Hospital of Changle County, Weifang, 262400, China. Electronic address:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability, also resulting in long-term serious neurological impairment in survivors. However, the pathogenesis of TBI has not been fully understood. Jun dimerization protein 2 (JDP2) is a member of the AP-1 family of transcription factors, containing a basic region-leucine zipper motif. Read More

Dev Neurobiol 2018 10 18;78(10):978-990. Epub 2018 Jul 18.

Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montréal Neurological Institute, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada.

Neurons face a series of morphological and molecular changes following trauma and in the progression of neurodegenerative disease. In neurons capable of mounting a spontaneous regenerative response, including invertebrate neurons and mammalian neurons of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), axons regenerate from the proximal side of the injury and degenerate on the distal side. Studies of Wallerian degeneration slow (Wld /Ola) mice have revealed that a level of coordination between the processes of axon regeneration and degeneration occurs during successful repair. Read More

Elife 2018 07 3;7. Epub 2018 Jul 3.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States.

Neuropathic pain resulting from nerve injury can become persistent and difficult to treat but the molecular signaling responsible for its development remains poorly described. Here, we identify the neuronal stress sensor dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK; ) as a key molecule controlling the maladaptive pathways that lead to pain following injury. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of DLK reduces mechanical hypersensitivity in a mouse model of neuropathic pain. Read More

Mar Environ Res 2018 Aug 5;139:99-112. Epub 2018 May 5.

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare "A. Monroy", Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy. Electronic address:

Lithium (Li), Nickel (Ni), and Zinc (Zn) are metals normally present in the seawater, although they can have adverse effects on the marine ecosystem at high concentrations by interfering with many biological processes. These metals are toxic for sea urchin embryos, affecting their morphology and developmental pathways. In particular, they perturb differently the correct organization of the embryonic axes (animal-vegetal, dorso-ventral): Li is a vegetalizing agent and Ni disrupts the dorso-ventral axis, while Zn has an animalizing effect. Read More

Cell Rep 2018 03;22(13):3587-3597

Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. Electronic address:

Reactive astrocytes influence post-injury recovery, repair, and pathogenesis of the mammalian CNS. Much of the regulation of astrocyte reactivity, however, remains to be understood. Using genetic loss and gain-of-function analyses in vivo, we show that the conserved MAP3K13 (also known as leucine zipper-bearing kinase [LZK]) promotes astrocyte reactivity and glial scar formation after CNS injury. Read More

Exp Eye Res 2018 06 8;171:54-61. Epub 2018 Mar 8.

Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037, USA. Electronic address:

Optic neuropathies such as glaucoma are characterized by the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and the irreversible loss of vision. In these diseases, focal axon injury triggers a propagating axon degeneration and, eventually, cell death. Previous work by us and others identified dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) and JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK) as key mediators of somal cell death signaling in RGCs following axonal injury. Read More

Oncotarget 2018 Jan 9;9(1):122-141. Epub 2017 Nov 9.

Hunan Normal University Medical College, Changsha, Hunan, China.

Stargardt disease-4 (STGD4) is an autosomal dominant complex, genetically heterogeneous macular degeneration/dystrophy (MD) disorder. In this paper, we used targeted next generation sequencing and multiple molecular dynamics analyses to identify and characterize a disease-causing genetic variant in four generations of a Chinese family with STGD4-like MD. We found a novel heterozygous missense mutation, c. Read More

Neuroscience 2017 Nov 19;364:107-121. Epub 2017 Sep 19.

Neurogenomics Laboratory, Multiple Sclerosis Center, Sheba Medical Center, Israel; Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.

Spontaneous neural repair from endogenous neural stem cells' (NSCs) niches occurs in response to central nervous system (CNS) injuries to only a limited extent. Uncovering the mechanisms that control neural repair and can be further manipulated to promote NSCs toward oligodendrocyte progenitors cells (OPCs) and myelinating oligodendrocytes is a major objective. In the current study, we describe high-throughput transcriptional changes in adult mouse subventricular zone (SVZ)-NSCs during differentiation in vitro. Read More

J Emerg Med 2017 Sep 25;53(3):369-382. Epub 2017 Aug 25.

East Orange General Hospital, East Orange, New Jersey.

Background: Traumatic lacerations to the skin represent a fairly common reason for seeking emergency department care. Although the incidence of lacerations has decreased over the past decades, traumatic cutaneous lacerations remain a common reason for patients to seek emergency department care.

Objective: Innovations in laceration management have the potential to improve patient experience with this common presentation. Read More

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017 07;58(9):3656-3668

Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and Ear Nose Throat Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China 2Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) in a light-induced retinal degeneration model and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Intravitreal injection of recombinant GILZ-overexpressing lentivirus (OE-GILZ-rLV) and short hairpin RNA targeting GILZ recombinant lentivirus (shRNA-GILZ-rLV) was performed to up- and downregulate retinal GILZ, respectively. Three days after stable transduction, rats were exposed to continuous bright light (5000 lux) for 2 days. Read More

Neuron 2017 Jun;94(6):1142-1154.e6

Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Genetic Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Electronic address:

Dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) has been implicated in cell death signaling secondary to axonal damage in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and other neurons. To better understand the pathway through which DLK acts, we developed enhanced functional genomic screens in primary RGCs, including use of arrayed, whole-genome, small interfering RNA libraries. Explaining why DLK inhibition is only partially protective, we identify leucine zipper kinase (LZK) as cooperating with DLK to activate downstream signaling and cell death in RGCs, including in a mouse model of optic nerve injury, and show that the same pathway is active in human stem cell-derived RGCs. Read More

Zhonghua Wei Zhong Bing Ji Jiu Yi Xue 2017 May;29(5):479-480

Department of Critical Care Medicine, the 401st Hospital of PLA, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China (Li HL, Wang HP); Division of Medical Affairs, the 401st Hospital of PLA, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China (Lu Q, Li LJ). Corresponding author: Li Lujia, Email:

Objective: Cooling bag for heat stroke in wild field was invented in order to fulfill rapid cooling for heat stroke in field environment. The cooling bag is composed of the hood, the body cover (which is made up of the anterior portion, the linking, and the posterior portion), the fixed straps, the handles. The length is 200 cm, the regulative width is 60-70 cm, the folding volume is 26 cm × 20 cm × 9 cm, and the weight is 1. Read More

Urol Case Rep 2017 Jul 26;13:85-86. Epub 2017 Apr 26.

University of Central Florida College of Medicine, 6850 Lake Nona Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32827, USA.

Genital injury can occur at any age of life but is most common in the pediatric population. Hair-tourniquets and circumcision procedures are the most common causes of penile injury in children. Foreskin trauma, aside from zipper related injuries, is sparsely reported. Read More

Neurobiol Dis 2017 Jul 8;103:133-143. Epub 2017 Apr 8.

Departments of Anesthesiology and Physiology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA. Electronic address:

Objective: Dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK/MA3K12) has been reported involved in apoptosis and neuronal degeneration during neural development and traumatic brain injury. This study was designed to investigate the role of DLK with its adaptor protein JNK interacting protein-3 (JIP3), and its downstream MA2K7/JNK signaling pathway in early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in a rat model.

Design: Controlled in vivo laboratory study. Read More

J Clin Ultrasound 2017 Nov 10;45(9):589-591. Epub 2017 Feb 10.

Mount Sinai St. Luke's Mount Sinai West Hospitals, Department of Emergency Medicine, 1000 10th Avenue, New York, NY.

Injury to the penis resulting from zipper entrapment is a painful condition that presents a unique anesthetic challenge to the emergency physician and may even require procedural sedation for removal. In this case report, we describe successful removal of zipper entrapment from the penis of a 34-year-old patient after the application of an ultrasound-guided dorsal penile nerve block. We discuss the anatomy, sonographic features, and steps required for the nerve block procedure. Read More

Pediatr Res 2017 Jun 18;81(6):926-931. Epub 2017 Jan 18.

Department of Pediatrics, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan.

Background: BTB and CNC homology 1 (Bach1) is a transcriptional repressor of heme oxygenase (HO)-1. The effects of Bach1 disruption on hyperoxic lung injury in newborn mice have not been determined. We aimed to investigate the role of Bach1 in the newborns exposed to hyperoxia. Read More

Tunis Med 2017 Novembre;95(11):998-999

Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2016 12;47(12):1162-1163

Intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) may be associated with occult exit wounds. The authors present a case of a man who sustained a zipper-tooth IOFB through the cornea from a car tire explosion. CT showed an IOFB within the vitreous cavity, but the IOFB was not identified during vitrectomy. Read More

Am J Emerg Med 2017 05 2;35(5):783-784. Epub 2016 Nov 2.

Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, United States; Spectrum Health, Department of Emergency Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.

PLoS One 2016 9;11(9):e0162471. Epub 2016 Sep 9.

Department of Orthopedics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, P.R. China.

Background: It is controversial whether surgical zipper technique (SZT), a non-invasive method of surgical wound closure, achieves a better outcome of incision healing than intracutaneous sutures (IS) in the surgery. This meta-analysis was performed to systematically analyze whether surgical zipper is superior to suture material for the incision closure.

Methods: Databases and reference lists were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing SZT with IS for the incision closure. Read More

Neuropharmacology 2016 09 13;108:316-23. Epub 2016 Apr 13.

Departments of Anesthesiology and Physiology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA. Electronic address:

Background And Purpose: Since tozasertib is neuroprotective for injured optic nerve, this study is intended to test whether tozasertib reduces early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in a rat model.

Methods: Two hundred sixteen (216) male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly subjected to endovascular perforation model of SAH and sham group. SAH grade, neurological score, and brain water content were measured at 24 and 72 h after SAH. Read More

Oncotarget 2016 Apr;7(15):19272-83

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.

Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) is a basic leucine zipper transcription factor that principally defends against oxidative stress and also plays a unique role in severe sepsis. However, its contribution to intestinal injury and death after burn trauma is unclear.In this study, wild-type (Nrf2+/+) and Nrf2-deficient (Nrf2-/-) mice were subjected to 15% or 30% total body surface area burn or sham injury. Read More

Neuroscience 2016 Jan 19;313:10-22. Epub 2015 Nov 19.

Department of Functional Anatomy & Neuroscience, Nagoya University, Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumaicho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST) of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Saitama, Japan. Electronic address:

In the spinal dorsal horn (DH), nerve injury activates microglia and induces neuropathic pain. Several studies clarified an involvement of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the microglial activation. However, the origin of ATP together with the release mechanism is unclear. Read More

Int J Nanomedicine 2015 21;10:5925-39. Epub 2015 Sep 21.

School of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.

It has been reported that increased levels and activity of the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein ameliorate tissue injuries. In the present study, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of action of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on HO-1 protein expression in human vascular endothelial cells (ECs). The AuNPs induced HO-1 protein and mRNA expression in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Read More

Eur J Med Res 2015 Aug 25;20:70. Epub 2015 Aug 25.

Department of Traumatology, Hand-, Plastic-, and Reconstructive Surgery, Center of Surgery, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany.

Background: After severe blunt chest trauma, the development of an acute lung injury (ALI) is often associated with severe or even lethal complications. Especially in multiple injured patients after blunt chest trauma ALI/ARDS [acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)] is frequent. However, in the initial posttraumatic phase, inflammatory clinical signs are often not apparent and underlying changes in gene-expression profile are unknown. Read More

PLoS One 2015 20;10(5):e0127163. Epub 2015 May 20.

Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Axonal regeneration after injury requires the coordinated expression of genes in injured neurons. We previously showed that either reducing expression or blocking function of the transcriptional repressor NFIL3 activates transcription of regeneration-associated genes Arg1 and Gap43 and strongly promotes axon outgrowth in vitro. Here we tested whether genetic deletion or dominant-negative inhibition of NFIL3 could promote axon regeneration and functional recovery after peripheral nerve lesion in vivo. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2015 Jan 30;2015. Epub 2015 Jan 30.

Department of ENT, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal PGIMS, Rohtak Haryana, India.

We report a case of a 2-month-old male child who presented with sudden onset of vomiting and refusal to breast feed. Chest and abdomen examination were normal. A foreign body (zipper) was visualised in the cervical oesophagus on X-ray of the neck. Read More

Biofactors 2014 Nov-Dec;40(6):569-85. Epub 2014 Dec 20.

Division of National Research Center for Apple Engineering and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China; Division of State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China; College of Horticulture Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China.

The endoplasmic reticulum is the cellular compartment in which secretory proteins are synthesized and folded. Perturbations of endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis lead to the accumulation of unfolded proteins. The activation of the unfolded protein response during endoplasmic reticulum stress transmits information about the status of protein folding to the cytosol and nucleus. Read More

Oncotarget 2014 Nov;5(22):11413-27

Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.

Plant flavonoid apigenin prevents and inhibits UVB-induced carcinogenesis in the skin and has strong anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic properties. Here we identify mechanisms, by which apigenin controls these oncogenic events. We show that apigenin acts, at least in part, via endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor, thrombospondin-1 (TSP1). Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014 Nov 27;111(45):16142-7. Epub 2014 Oct 27.

Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Cameco Multiple Sclerosis Neuroscience Research Center, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5E5

Luman/cAMP response element binding protein 3 is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) transmembrane basic leucine zipper transcription factor whose mRNA and protein localize to adult sensory axons, the latter with axonal ER components along the axon length. Here we show that axon-derived Luman plays an important role in relaying information about axonal injury to the neuronal cell body. Axotomy induces axonal Luman synthesis and also release from the axonal ER of Luman's transcriptionally active amino terminus, which is transported to the cell body in an importin-mediated manner. Read More

Versicherungsmedizin 2014 Sep;66(3):132-6

It is not unusual for a neurological expert to have problems defining the precise anatomical location and the required objective proof of damage, especially if the medical history and the neurological report released by the clinic prove inadequate in terms of providing a reliable assessment. This may well result from somatoform disorders, dissociation, aggravation and simulation, as well as dissimulation and complex organic diagnostic findings. A range of standardised neurophysiologic procedures is available for the objective measuring of motor, vegetative and sensory systems; a brief summary of the most frequent occurrences is given here, along with their significance for appraising damage resulting from an accident. Read More

Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2014 Nov 23;126:181-6. Epub 2014 Aug 23.

Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 509 Nanchang Road, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanchang Road, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Medicine of Gansu Province, Nanchang Road, Lanzhou 730000, China. Electronic address:

Oxidative stress is one of the major mechanisms implicated in carbon ion irradiation. Curcumin is a natural phenolic compound with impressive antioxidant properties. What's more, curcumin is recently proved to exert its effects partly radioprotection. Read More

CNS Neurosci Ther 2014 Nov 21;20(11):973-81. Epub 2014 Aug 21.

IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Provinciale Palermo, Messina, Italy.

Aims: Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs following damage to the spinal column. Following trauma, tissue damage is further exacerbated by a secondary damage due to a SCI-activated inflammatory process. Control of leukocytes activity is essential to therapeutic inhibition of the spinal cord damage to ameliorate the patient's conditions. Read More

J Neurosci 2014 Aug;34(32):10729-42

Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, California 95817.

Motoneuron death after transection of the axons (axotomy) in neonates is believed to share the same mechanistic bases as naturally occurring programmed cell death during development. The c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway is activated in both forms of motoneuron death, but it remains unknown to what extent these two forms of motoneuron death depend on this pathway and which upstream kinases are involved. We found that numbers of facial motoneurons are doubled in neonatal mice deficient in either ZPK/DLK (zipper protein kinase, also known as dual leucine zipper kinase), a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase, or in MKK4/MAP2K4, a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase directly downstream of ZPK/DLK, and that the facial motoneurons in those mutant mice are completely resistant to axotomy-induced death. Read More

Mitochondrial DNA A DNA Mapp Seq Anal 2016 18;27(2):896-903. Epub 2014 Jun 18.

a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo , The State University of New York , Buffalo , NY , USA.

Cancer patients with Down syndrome (DS) are at increased risk for anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) alterations in hearts with-DS may contribute to anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity. Cardiac mtDNA and the mtDNA(4977) deletion were quantitated in samples with- (n = 11) and without-DS (n = 31). Read More

Zhonghua Bing Li Xue Za Zhi 2014 Feb;43(2):123-4